SB 175 Pennsylvania Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in falsification and intimidation, further providing for the offense of false alarms to agencies of public safety.

SB 175 makes it a crime to knowingly report false emergencies (like crimes or medical crises) to police, fire departments, 911 operators, or emergency medical services. It directly affects individuals who make such false reports, requiring them to pay the full costs of the emergency response - including officer/firefighter overtime, equipment, and supplies - through court-ordered restitution. For juveniles, parents or guardians may be ordered to pay a portion of these costs if the juvenile cannot afford it, with payment plans or hardship adjustments available. The law applies to false reports originating in Pennsylvania or targeting Pennsylvania agencies, and it expands the Attorney General’s authority to prosecute cross-county or multi-state violations.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 23, 2025 Last action Jun 2, 2025
Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Mar 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported as committed
upper
Jan 23, 2025
Committee
Referred to Judiciary
upper
1 primary · 12 co-sponsors

Sponsors