The bill amends Section 30-39-1 of the New Mexico Statutes to create the crime of "swatting," which involves knowingly making a false or misleading report to a public safety agency about an ongoing emergency or threat of violence. This new provision specifies that such actions are intended to provoke an immediate response from the agency and categorizes the offense as a fourth degree felony. Additionally, the bill clarifies the definition of "public safety agency" to include law enforcement, firefighting, emergency medical services, and local communications facilities that handle 911 service communications.

Furthermore, the bill revises the existing language regarding false reporting to law enforcement agencies, changing the terminology from "false report" to "false reporting" and establishing that a person who intentionally makes a false report about a violation of the Criminal Code is guilty of a misdemeanor. These changes aim to enhance the legal framework surrounding false reporting and ensure that severe penalties are in place for those who engage in swatting.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 30-20-16
JU substitute: 30-39-1