MN SF1168

Adds new misdemeanor offense for making or initiating an emergency call knowing no emergency exists, with intent to disrupt emergency services, while remaining silent or making abusive/harassing statements.

Creates gross misdemeanor offense for placing an emergency call and reporting a fictitious emergency with intent to prompt law enforcement, fire, or medical response.

Establishes felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment or $20,000 fine if a fictitious emergency call results in someone suffering great bodily harm or death.

Creates felony offense for repeat violations of the silent/abusive emergency call misdemeanor or for intentionally using multiple devices to block or overload emergency call center systems, punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment or $10,000 fine.

Expands definition of "call" to include telephones, facsimiles, voice-over-Internet protocols, email, text messages, and electronic image/video transmissions; effective August 1, 2013.