S. 38 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Jan 9, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryMakes swatting a federal crime
This bill creates a new federal crime for swatting, which is when someone intentionally calls emergency responders with false or misleading information designed to trigger a response. The bill applies when the fake report indicates that a crime or threat to safety is happening, and the person making the call reasonably expects it will send emergency responders to someone's location.
How it affects you
If you're someone who could be targeted by a swatter, this gives federal law enforcement another tool to investigate and prosecute those responsible. Most people are unlikely to be directly affected unless they live somewhere already targeted by swatting or work in emergency response where swatting calls create danger and waste resources.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Jan 9, 2025)
Preserving Safe Communities by Ending Swatting Act of 2025
This bill makes it a crime to intentionally convey false or misleading information in circumstances where the information may reasonably be expected to cause an emergency response and the information indicates the occurrence of criminal conduct or a threat to health or safety (commonly referred to as swatting ).
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 38
A BILL
Preserving Safe Communities by Ending Swatting Act of 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) · Introduced Jan 9, 2025 · Crime and Law Enforcement · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jan 9, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.”