Criminal penalties for swatting increased.

Minnesota House Bill HF3209, introduced in April 2025, aimed to increase criminal penalties for 'swatting'—the act of making false emergency calls to provoke a large law enforcement response. The bill proposed amending Minnesota Statutes sections 244.05 and 609.78 to impose stricter punishments for individuals convicted of swatting. Specifically, it sought to align penalties with those for serious offenses, potentially including mandatory life sentences without eligibility for supervised release. The bill was referred to the House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee but did not progress further.

Media coverage highlighted the bill's intent to enhance public safety by deterring swatting incidents through harsher penalties. Reports noted that swatting poses significant risks to both first responders and the public, and that increasing penalties could serve as a strong deterrent. The bill was seen as a proactive measure to address the growing concern over swatting incidents and their potentially deadly consequences.

Critics expressed concerns that the proposed penalties might be excessively harsh, potentially leading to life sentences for offenses that did not result in physical harm. There were also apprehensions about the bill's potential impact on the judicial system, including increased incarceration rates and associated costs. Some argued that existing laws already provided sufficient means to prosecute swatting incidents and that the focus should be on better enforcement and public education rather than imposing stricter penalties.