Official records from the U.S. Congress.

Bipartisan 'Preserving Safe Communities by Ending Swatting Act' Introduced, Imposing Fines and Up to 20 Years in Prison

Jan 11, 2025, 01:47 PM

A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced legislation aimed at addressing the rising trend of 'swatting,' which involves falsely reporting emergencies to provoke a police response. The proposed bill, known as the Preserving Safe Communities by Ending Swatting Act, would impose criminal penalties for those found guilty of swatting. Offenders could face fines or prison sentences ranging from up to five years for most cases, escalating to 20 years in cases resulting in serious bodily injury, and potentially life imprisonment if a death occurs. Notably, lawmakers including Sen. Rick Scott and Rep. David Kustoff, who introduced the House version, have themselves been targets of swatting incidents. The bill has garnered bipartisan support, with cosponsors from both parties emphasizing the need to protect law enforcement and communities from the dangers posed by such actions.