What's happening
This bill adds harsher penalties for falsely reporting incidents involving bombings, hostage situations, or armed individuals.
Why it matters
Targets “swatting” and similar dangerous hoaxes. By specifically increasing penalties for falsely reporting bombings, hostage situations, or armed individuals, the bill aims to deter "swatting" incidents, which can lead to violent police responses and put innocent people at risk.
Expands liability for false reports. The bill covers both third- and second-degree false reporting offenses, broadening the range of conduct that could trigger harsher consequences if the false report involves claims of bombs, hostages, or armed persons.
Addresses public safety and resource misuse. By making it riskier to make these specific types of false reports, the legislation seeks to reduce strain on emergency services and prevent unnecessary panic or disruption in the community.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Tougher Penalties for False Reports
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
8 Co-sponsors
2 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to codes
- Referred to codes
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6898
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
March 25, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. ORTIZ, MOSLEY, SEAWRIGHT, D'URSO, ARROYO, LAVINE, BLAKE, COOK, BUCHWALD -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. DenDEKKER, SIMON -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to falsely reporting an incident in the first degree
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 240.60 of the penal law is amended by adding a new subdivision 7 to read as follows:
7. commits the crime of falsely reporting an incident in the third degree as defined in subdivisions one, two and three of section 240.50 of this article or falsely reporting an incident in the second degree as defined in subdivisions one and two of section 240.55 of this article and such crime involves a report or warning of an alleged occurrence or impending occurrence of a bombing, hostage situation or person armed with a deadly weapon as defined by subdivision twelve of section 10.00 of this chapter.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10916-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.