Misuse Of Public Safety Answering Point

A public safety answering point (PSAP) is a facility that is equipped and staffed to provide an emergency telephone service. The bill makes it unlawful to misuse a PSAP by:

• Purposefully initiating communication with the PSAP without reporting an emergency, or without reporting new or amended information related to a previously reported emergency, after being instructed by the PSAP to stop such behavior;
• Making a report to a PSAP representative when the person knows the information reported is false;
• Knowingly obstructing the administration of a PSAP; or
• Making any comment to a PSAP representative with the intent to intimidate or harass the PSAP representative.

The bill gives a PSAP the authority to issue a warning for a violation for misuse of a PSAP or, if the PSAP representative has reason to believe the behavior is related to a behavioral health issue, authorizes the PSAP to refer the person to behavioral health services. Notwithstanding whether a person was issued a written warning, a violation for misuse of a PSAP is a civil infraction and is subject to a fine of not more than $100.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)