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2023 SESSION

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SB 1291 False emergency communication to emergency personnel; false information, penalties, report.

Introduced by: R. Creigh Deeds | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED SENATE:

False emergency communication to emergency personnel; penalties. Provides that it is a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person to knowingly report, or cause another to report in reliance on intentionally false information provided by such person, a false emergency communication to any emergency personnel that results in an emergency response.

The bill also provides that it is a Class 6 felony if such false emergency communication results in an emergency response and any person suffers a serious bodily injury as a direct and proximate result of the false emergency communication and a Class 5 felony if any person is killed as a direct and proximate result of the false emergency communication.

The bill authorizes any locality to provide by ordinance that a person convicted of such false emergency communication shall be liable for the reasonable expense in responding to such false emergency communication. This bill is identical to HB 1572.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

False emergency communication to emergency personnel; penalties; report. Provides that it is a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person to knowingly report, or cause another to report in reliance on intentionally false information provided by such person, a false emergency communication to any emergency personnel that results in an emergency response. The bill also provides that it is a Class 6 felony if such false emergency communication results in an emergency response during which and as a result of such emergency response any person suffers a serious bodily injury and a Class 5 felony if any person is killed. The bill authorizes any locality to provide by ordinance that a person convicted of such false emergency communication shall be liable for the reasonable expense in responding to such false emergency communication. The bill also requires the Secretary of Education, together with the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, to convene a work group for the purpose of establishing best practices, policies, and procedures for school personnel in the event of false information resulting in an emergency response at or near a school.