Crimes: false reporting.

Assembly Member Ta's legislation addresses false emergency reporting and 911 system misuse by establishing new penalties for repeat offenders and expanding liability provisions. The measure creates a felony option for second or subsequent violations of false emergency reporting when committed by adults and results in unnecessary emergency responses. Under the new provisions, these repeat offenses would be punishable by up to one year in county jail, a $1,000 fine, or both, with the possibility of state prison time.

The bill expands financial liability for those convicted of making false emergency reports or harassing 911 calls. In addition to existing requirements to reimburse public agencies for emergency response costs, violators would now be responsible for any property damage incurred during the unnecessary emergency response. The legislation maintains current misdemeanor penalties for first-time adult offenders and excludes individuals under 18 from enhanced penalties for repeat violations.

For cases where false reports lead to death or great bodily injury, the bill retains existing felony provisions with penalties of state prison time and fines up to $10,000. The measure preserves exemptions for parents or guardians making good-faith reports about missing children that trigger Emergency Alert System activation. Local agencies would implement these changes without state reimbursement, as the provisions modify existing criminal penalties rather than create new programs requiring funding.