22-05-2025
DeSantis signs bills cracking down on false 911 calls, allowing armed guardians at child centers
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed three public safety bills into law during a stop at Winter Haven High School in Polk County on May 21, including one that stiffens penalties for making false 911 calls.
DeSantis signed House Bill 279 on False Reporting introduced by Rep. Bill Partington, R-Ormand Beach, which has been dubbed Florida's "anti-swatting" bill. The legislation creates enhanced criminal penalties for people who call 911 to report false emergencies building on statutes enacted in 2021.
"While that has been helpful, it has not been fully sufficient," DeSantis said. "We continue to see these swatting instances continue to happen the country, including Florida. Recently, they have targeted people who are influential in conservative media."
The new law, to take effect July 1, makes it a third-degree felony if a false report causes great bodily harm, permanent disfigurement or injury; and raises it to a second-degree felony if someone dies due to the report. An individual who causes another person to make a false 911 report that results in an emergency response can be held accountable under the new legislation.
Manny Diaz Jr., Florida's commissioner of education, said there had been a huge uptick in false 911 reports this year across the state. Diaz said several cases have been recently prosecuted.
"The messages to parents is: You need to understand how severe that is and here in Florida we take it very seriously," he said.
The "anti-swattting" bill also aims to reduce the number of false reports required before an individual can be charged with a felony from four to two. It changes the definition of convictions, so they are counted toward the lowered two minimum even if there is a plea deal or a plea of no contest is entered. It will mandate the court to make the perpetrator of the false report pay the costs for law enforcement's prosecution and investigations, as well as pay restitution for any material damages done.
"Swatting has no place in the State in Florida," DeSantis said. "When you have swift penalties, strong penalties administered swiftly, you will deter it from happening in the future."
The governor signed Senate Bill 1470, sponsored by Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyr Hills, to enhance school safety by expanding the state's guardian program to child care centers.
Under the Guardian Program, child care employees will be able starting July 1 to train with their local sheriff's office with firearms and other school safety measures in the event of an emergency. The facilities will also have the option of hiring a security agency, at their own costs, including mandatory state training.
DeSantis signed House Bill 1099, sponsored by Jennifer Canady, R-Lakeland, to allow law enforcement officers more discretion when arresting individuals with severe medical conditions. Deputies or officers will be allowed to consider the need for immediate arrest when dealing with a patient in a hospital, nursing home or assisted care facility.
Among the factors law enforcement may consider before arresting those with severe medical conditions include whether they continue to pose a risk to themselves or others or pose a flight risk.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: DeSantis signs 3 public safety bills, including anti-swatting law
