Preserving Safe Communities by Ending Swatting Act of 2025

Senate Bill

S. 38

119th Congress

Preserving Safe Communities by Ending Swatting Act of 2025

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 9, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Tammy Duckworth

Senator

Democratic

IL

Cosponsors

2

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary

This bill makes swatting a federal crime. Swatting involves intentionally conveying false or misleading information in circumstances where it may reasonably cause an emergency response, particularly when indicating criminal conduct or threats to health and safety. This typically involves making false reports to trigger armed police responses to innocent victims addresses. The legislation addresses the dangerous practice that has resulted in injuries and deaths when SWAT teams respond to fabricated emergencies.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill makes swatting a federal crime. Swatting involves intentionally conveying false or misleading information in circumstances where it may reasonably cause an emergency response, particularly when indicating criminal conduct or threats to health and safety. This typically involves making false reports to trigger armed police responses to innocent victims addresses. The legislation addresses the dangerous practice that has resulted in injuries and deaths when SWAT teams respond to fabricated emergencies.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Preserving Safe Communities by Ending Swatting Act of 2025This 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).

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Makes swatting a federal crime
Criminalizes intentionally conveying false information to trigger emergency response
Covers false reports of criminal conduct or safety threats
Addresses dangerous practice that has caused injuries and deaths
Targets those who weaponize emergency services against victims

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

For potential swatting victims: Federal law protection against this dangerous harassment. For emergency services: Reduced false deployments endangering responders. For online harassment targets: Legal consequences for perpetrators. For law enforcement: Clear federal statute for prosecution. For courts: Defined federal crime for swatting cases.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Subjects

Civil actions and liability

Criminal procedure and sentencing

Emergency communications systems

First responders and emergency personnel

Fraud offenses and financial crimes

Postal service

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

38, 119th Congress (2025). "Preserving Safe Communities by Ending Swatting Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-38