This legislation changes the crime of reporting a false public alarm by increasing the punishment of falsely reporting hazardous device or a hazardous substance is at a building, place of assembly, or facility that is necessary for national safety, public security, education, or public safety. It also increases the punishment to falsely reporting an incident that causes a heightened response of law enforcement of emergency services.

The language of this bill was added to SB 270 in the House Public Safety Committee.