OregonOregon law makes harmful false reports a felony
Starting January 1, 2027, a person making a false emergency report commits a Class C felony if they intentionally trigger an enhanced police response and recklessly cause serious physical injury or death through that response.
What it does
A person making a false emergency report commits a Class C felony if they intentionally cause an enhanced police response and recklessly cause another person serious physical injury or death through it.
Anyone convicted of starting a false report must repay the costs of the response and investigation.
Argument forThe rule could reserve felony punishment for false reports that trigger a major police response and lead to serious harm or death.
Argument againstA person could face a felony even when they recklessly, rather than intentionally, cause serious harm or death through the response.
More detail
The person initiating the false report must intentionally cause the enhanced response and recklessly cause the resulting serious physical injury or death for the Class C felony rule to apply. An enhanced response must dispatch at least two officers or units and include at least one listed measure, such as a tactical team, an evacuation, or specialized equipment. The person must knowingly start a false alarm or report sent to an emergency response organization. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.
A person convicted of initiating a false report must repay the costs of responding to and investigating it. This applies to anyone convicted under this section. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 13Chapter 122, (2026 Laws): Effective date January 1, 2027.Latest
- Apr 7Governor Tina Kotek signed.Became Law
- Mar 10President signed.Major
- Mar 10Speaker signed.Major
- Mar 6Third reading. Carried by McLane. Passed.Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Third reading. Carried by McLane. Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 4Second reading.Minor
- Mar 4Recommendation: Do pass the A-Eng. bill.Minor
- Feb 25Work Session held.
- Vote recorded Heard and Reported Out. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 23Public Hearing held.
- Feb 20Referred to Judiciary.Minor
- Feb 20First reading. Referred to President's desk.Minor
- Feb 19Vote explanation(s) filed by Chotzen.
- Vote recorded Rules suspended. Third reading. Carried by Edwards. Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 19Rules suspended. Third reading. Carried by Edwards. Passed.Passed House
- Feb 19Second reading.Minor
- Feb 18Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be printed A-Engrossed.Minor
- Feb 16Work Session held.
- Vote recorded Heard and Reported Out with Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 9Public Hearing held.
- Feb 2Referred to Judiciary.Minor
- Feb 2First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.Introduced
Criminal JusticePublic Safety