Creates the crime of aggravated harassment of a public service answering point; makes such crime a class E felony

BILL NUMBER:A10518

Title of bill

An act to amend the penal law, in relation to creating the crime of aggravated harassment of a public service answering point

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill would create the crime of aggravated harassment of a public service answering point and make such a crime a class E felony.

Summary of specific provisions

A person would be guilty of aggravated harassment of a public service answering point when he or she intentionally makes a telephone call, whether or not a conversation ensues, with no purpose of legitimate communication. This bill defines "public service g point" as a communi- cation facility which receives 911 calls from persons within the 911 service area and which may directly dispatch the services of a public safety agency or extend, transfer, or relay or route 911 calls to the appropriate public safety agency.

Justification

This would prevent emergency service personnel from being sent to a location where there is no emergency and may possibly prevent them from responding to a 911 call which is reporting an actual emergency situ- ation. While making false 911 calls is already a crime, prank 911 hang up calls would also take emergency personnel away from true emergencies.

Prior legislative history

2008: A.5625; Held for consideration in Codes 2007: A.5625; Referred to Codes 2006: A.3921; Referred to Codes 2005: A.3921; Referred to Codes

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.