California Assembly Bill AB1872

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/12/26
• Refer: 3/2/26
• Report Pass: 3/18/26
• Refer: 3/18/26
• Refer: 4/8/26
• Report Pass: 5/14/26
• Engrossed: 5/21/26
• Refer: 5/21/26
• Refer: 6/3/26

Caption

False reporting.

Impact

The impact of AB 1872 on California's legal framework includes the expansion of liability for those convicted of such crimes. The bill extends current provisions requiring offenders to compensate public agencies for emergency response costs to also cover property damage resulting from the false reports. This change aims to deter individuals from making such frivolous complaints and to ensure accountability for any resources that are wasted due to false reporting.

Summary

Assembly Bill No. 1872, introduced by Assembly Member Ta, aims to amend Sections 148.3 and 653x of the Penal Code in California to enhance penalties associated with false reporting and harassment related to emergency communications. The bill addresses existing laws that classify it as a misdemeanor to report false emergencies to government entities and to use the 911 system with the intent to annoy or harass another person. The proposed amendments would introduce harsher penalties for those with prior offenses, establishing the potential for a felony charge upon subsequent violations for individuals 18 years or older.

Contention

Notably, there may be challenges surrounding the enforcement of these laws, particularly in terms of distinguishing between false reports made with intent to harass and those made in good faith or under misapprehensions. Critics might argue that increasing penalties could disproportionately affect individuals misusing the system without malicious intent, raising concerns about fairness in the application of the law. Furthermore, the bill specifies that no state reimbursement is necessary for local agencies or school districts related to costs incurred from these mandates, which could lead to burdens on local governments depending on enforcement outcomes.