Swatting criminal penalties expansion provision

Minnesota Senate Bill 3372, introduced on April 10, 2025, aims to increase criminal penalties for individuals convicted of "swatting," which involves making false emergency calls to provoke a large law enforcement response. The bill proposes amendments to Minnesota Statutes sections 244.05 and 609.78, aligning swatting penalties with those for other serious offenses. Additionally, it introduces restrictions on supervised release for individuals convicted under certain clauses related to swatting, requiring them to serve a minimum term of imprisonment before being considered for supervised release.

The *Minneapolis Star Tribune* highlighted the dangers of swatting, emphasizing the need for stronger deterrents and a shift away from violent rhetoric in public discourse. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/8050f34369d09c7ad3034b33a8424b2a?utm_source=openai))

While specific media reactions to Senate Bill 3372 are not readily available, similar legislative efforts in other states have faced challenges. For instance, Georgia's Senate Bill 421, which aimed to impose harsher penalties on swatting, was passed with a 162-2 vote, indicating broad bipartisan support. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/13f2b54b193a6391d252914fe8a1f1dc?utm_source=openai)) This suggests that Minnesota's bill may encounter similar bipartisan backing, though the lack of specific media coverage makes it difficult to assess public reception accurately.