Swatting criminal penalties expansion provision

SF 3372 increases criminal penalties for swatting - making false emergency calls to trigger police responses - by amending Minnesota Statutes §609.78. It raises penalties based on harm caused: up to 10 years in prison or $20,000 fines for causing death/great bodily harm (subd. 2a), and up to 10 years or $20,000 fines for targeting officials’ homes (subd. 2c), including elected officials, judges, prosecutors, correctional staff, or peace officers. The bill applies to offenses committed on or after August 1, 2025, and directly affects individuals who make false emergency calls, particularly those targeting public officials. These changes aim to deter swatting by strengthening consequences for causing harm or threatening officials.