Florida has declared war on swatters with Governor Ron DeSantis signing tough new legislation that makes false emergency calls resulting in death a second-degree felony, putting cowardly perpetrators on notice that the Sunshine State will no longer tolerate this dangerous form of harassment.
Key Takeaways
- Governor DeSantis signed HB 279, enhancing penalties for swatting by introducing felony charges for false 911 reports that cause serious harm or death
- The new law builds upon Florida’s 2021 legislation, creating a stronger deterrent with second-degree felony charges for incidents resulting in death and third-degree felony charges for serious injuries
- Repeat offenders will face enhanced charges and must pay restitution to law enforcement agencies and victims
- DeSantis also signed SB 1470 expanding Florida’s Guardian Program to allow trained school staff to carry firearms on campus and HB 1099 giving officers more discretion when arresting people with significant health conditions
- Florida is positioning itself as a national leader in combating swatting, which DeSantis characterized as a politically-motivated tactic that wastes law enforcement resources
Florida Takes Bold Stand Against Dangerous “Swatting” Practices
Governor Ron DeSantis has reinforced Florida’s commitment to public safety and law enforcement efficiency by signing three significant bills into law during a news conference in Winter Haven. The most notable among these is House Bill 279, which dramatically increases penalties for “swatting” – the dangerous practice of making false emergency calls to trigger massive police responses to innocent people’s homes. The legislation is designed to protect both citizens and law enforcement from these malicious and potentially deadly hoaxes that have become increasingly common in recent years.
“Swatting is a tactic of cowards who use fake reports to law enforcement to harass people who they disagree with politically. Today, Florida gets even tougher on swatting. I signed HB 279 which introduces felony charges for individuals who make false 911 reports that result in significant harm. If you try this in our state, you will face punishment,” Governor Ron DeSantis said during the bill signing ceremony.
Today, I signed legislation to enhance and increase felony charges for swatting. pic.twitter.com/ms9HCL8lWc
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) May 21, 2025
Harsh New Penalties for False Emergency Calls
The newly signed legislation establishes a graduated penalty system based on the severity of consequences from false reports. False emergency calls resulting in death will now be classified as second-degree felonies, while those causing serious injury will be punished as third-degree felonies. Repeat offenders will face enhanced charges, and the law requires perpetrators to pay restitution to law enforcement agencies for wasted resources and to victims for damages suffered. This comprehensive approach aims to create a powerful deterrent against a practice that has serious real-world consequences.
“It’s taking resources and time and manpower away from actually doing the job that we want our law enforcement and first responders to do,” DeSantis said, highlighting the hidden costs of these false emergencies.
The legislation builds upon Florida’s 2021 bill that first established felonies for swatting incidents resulting in damage, injury, or death. With these enhanced penalties, Florida has positioned itself as a national leader in combating this dangerous trend that puts both citizens and law enforcement officers at risk. The comprehensive approach addresses both punishment and prevention, creating one of the strongest anti-swatting frameworks in the country.
It was great to join @GovRonDeSantis as he signed important legislation to expand school safety measures and to increase the penalties for swatting. Florida leads the nation in establishing smart, effective school safety measures and I am thankful for the Governor’s continued… pic.twitter.com/qpzDwZ130j
— Manny Diaz Jr. (@CommMannyDiazJr) May 21, 2025
Comprehensive Safety Package Addresses Multiple Concerns
In addition to the anti-swatting legislation, DeSantis signed two other bills aimed at enhancing safety and law enforcement effectiveness. Senate Bill 1470 expands Florida’s Guardian Program, allowing properly trained school staff to carry firearms on campus. The bill also authorizes childcare facilities to partner with local sheriff’s offices for security training and revises school access control requirements for campus entrances, classroom doors, and other access points. The comprehensive school safety measure requires that security agencies employing school guards cover all training and screening costs.
“We want to make sure we’re protecting the police officers as they’re doing jobs in very difficult circumstances,” DeSantis said, emphasizing the importance of the package for officer safety.
The third bill signed was House Bill 1099, which provides law enforcement officers with greater discretion when arresting individuals with significant health conditions. This measure is designed to ensure appropriate handling of medical situations while maintaining public safety and reducing unnecessary strains on both the criminal justice system and healthcare facilities. Together, these three bills represent a comprehensive approach to enhancing public safety and supporting law enforcement operations throughout Florida.
Political Context of the Bill Signing
The news conference where these bills were signed came amid reports of an investigation into the Hope Florida Foundation, which is associated with Florida’s First Lady Casey DeSantis. During the event, Governor DeSantis strongly defended the foundation and criticized the investigation as politically motivated. The governor specifically called out State Representative Alex Andrade, a former ally who reportedly provided evidence against Hope Florida to prosecutors, using notably harsh language to condemn what he viewed as a betrayal against his wife’s charitable initiative.
Despite the political controversy surrounding the Hope Florida Foundation, the focus of the event remained largely on the public safety benefits of the new legislation. The anti-swatting bill in particular received bipartisan support, reflecting a growing consensus that this dangerous practice needs to be addressed through stronger legal deterrents. As swatting incidents continue to occur nationwide, often targeting political figures, celebrities, and ordinary citizens alike, Florida’s enhanced penalties represent a significant step toward combating this troubling trend.
