WisconsinWisconsin law penalizes false emergency reports by 911 text
The law sets a fine and possible jail time for a first false report, with a felony penalty for another offense within four years.
What it does
People who knowingly make false emergency reports by calling or texting 911 can face a fine or jail time. A repeat offense within four years can be a felony.
Argument forTreating knowingly false 911 texts like false calls could discourage people from tying up emergency responders with made-up reports.
Argument againstA repeat false text report could bring a felony conviction, a serious penalty even when the report causes no physical harm.
More detail
Wisconsin law penalizes people who intentionally call or text 911 with a report they know is false. The rule covers anyone who calls or texts 911 to report an emergency that does not exist. The person must intend to report an emergency and know that the reported situation does not exist. A first offense can bring the stated fine or up to 90 days in jail, or both. Another offense within four years after the first is a Class H felony.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 9Published 4-10-2026Latest
- Apr 9Report approved by the Governor Tony Evers on 4-9-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 245Became Law
- Apr 2Presented to the Governor on 4-2-2026To Governor
- Mar 19Representative Emerson added as a cosponsor
- Mar 6Representative Brown added as a cosponsor
- Feb 27Report correctly enrolledMinor
- Feb 18Received from Assembly concurred inMinor
- Feb 17Ordered immediately messaged
- Vote recorded CONCURRENCE. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 17Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 84, Noes 15Passed House
- Feb 17Rules suspended
- Feb 17Ordered to a third readingMinor
- Feb 17Read a second timeMinor
- Feb 17Rules suspended to withdraw from calendar and take upMajor
- Feb 13Withdrawn from Committee on Rules and referred to calendar of 2-17-2026Minor
- Feb 13Read first time and referred to committee on RulesMinor
- Jan 22Received from SenateMinor
- Jan 21Ordered immediately messaged
- Jan 21Read a third time and passedPassed Senate
- Jan 21Rules suspended to give bill its third reading
- Jan 21Ordered to a third readingMinor
- Jan 21Read a second timeMinor
- Jan 21Senator Dassler-Alfheim added as a coauthor
- Jan 16Placed on calendar 1-21-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
- Jan 12Available for scheduling
- Vote recorded Report passage recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 8, Noes 0. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 12Report passage recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 8, Noes 0Minor
- Jan 12Executive action taken
- Jan 7Public hearing held
- 2025
- Dec 22Representative Knodl added as a cosponsor
- Dec 12Read first time and referred to Committee on Judiciary and Public SafetyMinor
- Dec 12Introduced by Senator Wanggaard; cosponsored by Representatives Donovan, Goodwin, Sortwell, Sinicki, Behnke, DeSmidt, Dittrich, Goeben, Gundrum, Kaufert, Kurtz, Maxey, Murphy, O'Connor, Penterman, Piwowarczyk, Stubbs and SubeckIntroduced
Criminal JusticePublic Safety