HB78 Alabama 2024 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Phillip EnslerRepresentative
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2024
Title: Crimes and offenses; crime of swatting created; penalties established; jurisdiction provided for; restitution required
Summary: HB78 creates the crime of swatting in Alabama, making it illegal to knowingly report false or misleading information to trigger a police or emergency response, with specific penalties, restitution, and venue rules, effective October 1, 2024.
What This Bill Does
It defines swatting and the terms emergency, emergency service provider, and law enforcement agency. It makes it unlawful to knowingly report or cause to be reported false or misleading information about a crime or emergency to a law enforcement agency or emergency service provider if it is likely to cause a response. It assigns penalties that escalate from a Class A misdemeanor to Class A felony based on the type of offense reported and the injuries that result, it sets where such offenses can be charged (venue), and it requires restitution to those damaged by the response. It also notes an exemption from local-expenditure rules and sets the effective date of October 1, 2024.

Who It Affects
People who knowingly report or cause to be reported false or misleading information to trigger a police or emergency response (potential perpetrators) and face escalating criminal penalties plus restitution.
Law enforcement agencies, emergency service providers, and the public who respond to swatting calls and may incur costs or damages, with the possibility of restitution when damages occur.

Key Provisions
Adds Section 13A-10-9.1 to create the crime of swatting.
Defines emergency, emergency service provider, and law enforcement agency for purposes of this section.
Makes it unlawful to knowingly report or cause to be reported false or misleading information about a crime or emergency to LE or an ES provider if likely to cause a response.
Penalties tiered by offense: Class A misdemeanor (misdemeanor offense), Class C felony (felony offense or emergency), Class B felony (felony with injury), Class A felony (felony with serious injury or death).
Venues for violations include any county where the report was made, received, or where responders acted.
Restitution required to individuals, agencies, or entities damaged as a proximate result of responding.
Effective date is October 1, 2024.
Exemption from Section 111.05 local-expenditure requirements because the bill creates or amends a crime.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Crimes & Offenses