UtahUtah law penalizes some warned calls to 911 without a real emergency
Since May 6, 2026, Utah law treats certain calls to 911 as emergency reporting abuse when callers know or should know no public safety threat exists and have been warned.
What it does
A person commits emergency reporting abuse by calling 911 about a situation they know, or reasonably should know, poses no emergency or public safety threat, after being warned about it.
People convicted of emergency reporting abuse face criminal penalties. Repeat offenses or reckless reports that cause serious injury, at least $5,000 in loss, or death can bring higher penalties, repayment, and jail or community service.
Argument forPenalties for repeated or harmful false reports could discourage misuse and help keep emergency responders available for people who need urgent help.
Argument againstA caller who misjudges whether a situation belongs on 911 could face criminal penalties after a warning, even if no one is hurt.
More detail
A person commits emergency reporting abuse by contacting 911 when they know, or reasonably should know, no emergency or public safety threat exists, after being warned about the reported situation. This applies to anyone who contacts a 911 emergency response service. A 911 dispatcher, law enforcement officer, or prosecutor must previously have told the person that this situation, or a substantially similar one, is not appropriate for 911. This applies only when the conduct does not amount to another offense listed in subsection (2)(a) or (b). This provision takes effect May 6, 2026.
A person convicted of emergency reporting abuse faces a misdemeanor, with higher penalties for certain repeat offenses or reckless conduct that causes serious harm. These penalties apply to people convicted of emergency reporting abuse under this section. A violation under subsection (2)(d) is generally a class B misdemeanor. A third or later conviction or adjudication under the listed subsections, or reckless conduct causing serious injury or at least $5,000 in loss, can make it a class A misdemeanor. Reckless conduct causing a death can make the offense a third degree felony. A court must also order repayment of response expenses and losses, and at least four days in jail or 40 hours of community service. These provisions take effect May 6, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 26Governor Spencer Cox SignedBecame Law
- Mar 16House/ to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 16House/ received enrolled bill from PrintingMinor
- Mar 12House/ enrolled bill to Printing
- Mar 12Enrolled Bill Returned to House or SenateMinor
- Mar 10Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- Mar 10Bill Received from House for EnrollingMinor
- Mar 7House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrollingMajor
- Mar 7House/ received from SenateMinor
- Mar 7Senate/ to House
- Mar 7Senate/ signed by President/ returned to HouseMajor
- Mar 7Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Mar 6House/ to Senate
- Vote recorded House/ concurs with Senate amendment. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 6House/ concurs with Senate amendmentMajor
- Mar 6House/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
- Mar 6House/ received from SenateMinor
- Mar 6Senate/ to House
- Mar 6Senate/ to House with amendments
- Mar 6Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspensionPassed Senate
- Mar 6Senate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspensionMinor
- Mar 6Senate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
- Mar 5Senate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules [Senate Rules Committee]Minor
- Feb 26Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
- Feb 26Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Feb 26Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Feb 20Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Feb 13Bill Substituted by Sponsor in Senate Rules Comm [Senate Rules Committee]Major
- Feb 12LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0113S02
- Feb 12LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0113S02
- Feb 9LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0113S02
- Feb 9LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0113S02
- Feb 3Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Vote recorded House/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 3Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Feb 3House/ to Senate
- Feb 3House/ passed 3rd readingPassed House
- Feb 3House/ 3rd readingMinor
- Jan 27LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0113S01
- Jan 27LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0113S01
- Jan 26House/ 2nd readingMinor
- Jan 26House/ comm rpt/ substituted [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]
- Jan 23House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Jan 23House Comm - Substitute Recommendation [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]Major
- Jan 23LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0113S01
- Jan 23LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0113S01
- Jan 22House/ to standing committee [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Jan 21House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal AnalystMinor
- Jan 21LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0113
- Jan 20House/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Jan 16LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0113
- Jan 14House/ received bill from Legislative ResearchMinor
- 2025
- Dec 30Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
- Dec 30Bill Numbered but not Distributed
- Nov 19LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0113
- Oct 23LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0113
- Oct 23LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0113Introduced
Criminal JusticePublic Safety