California Law Would Increase Prank 911 Penalty

Proposed California legislation would increase the penalties for making unnecessary 911 calls. Currently the law provides for first and second warnings for non-emergency use of 911, then fines for the third, fourth and fifth violations. The fines depend upon the violator’s ability to pay, but are pegged at $50, $100 and $200. Under the new law, there would be only a first warning, then fines for the second and subsequent violations. The law provides that anyone, “who uses the 911 telephone system for any reason other than because of an emergency is guilty of an infraction,” with fines of $50, $100 and $250 for second, third and subsequent violations. The bill was passed by the California House earlier this month and is now being considered by a Senate committee. Download the new law here.