Briggs’ anti-swatting bill signed into law
Measure increases consequences for fake emergency reports targeting schools and college campuses
Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus October 22, 2026 | 3:42 PM
HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – State Rep. Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery, announced today that Gov. Josh Shapiro has signed his anti-swatting legislation into law, giving Pennsylvania schools, colleges and universities stronger protections against false emergency reports that put lives at risk and disrupt campus communities.
Act 75 addresses “swatting,” when someone makes a false report of a serious emergency, such as a school shooting, to trigger a large police and emergency response. These hoaxes can force schools to lock down or evacuate, frighten students and families, and pull first responders away from other emergencies.
The new law strengthens the consequences for people convicted of making these threats against schools and institutions of higher education. It also allows courts to require those convicted to pay back the costs of the response, including supplies, equipment, employee wages and overtime, and the cost of work by police, firefighters, emergency medical personnel and other first responders.
“Swatting is not a harmless prank. It creates fear, disrupts learning and puts students, educators and first responders in danger,” Briggs said. “When someone makes a false report to convince people there is an active shooter or another serious emergency, the consequences are real. This law makes clear that those who target our schools and college campuses will be held accountable, including for the costs their actions create.”
The legislation follows a series of false active-shooter reports that targeted Pennsylvania schools and colleges in August 2025, including Villanova University. The reports prompted emergency responses and fear among students, faculty and staff, despite the threats being hoaxes.
“Villanova University has experienced firsthand the fear, uncertainty and disruption caused by swatting incidents, and we know the strain they place on our campus communities, emergency personnel and resources,” said the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, president of Villanova University. “Villanova was pleased to support H.B. 1935 and hopes its stronger penalties and potential restitution will help deter these dangerous acts in the future. I’m grateful to Rep. Briggs for championing this legislation and to all those who helped make Pennsylvania schools safer by passing it into law.”
Under the new law, Pennsylvania will strengthen sentencing guidelines for these offenses when they target a school or college. Courts will also have a clearer way to require offenders to repay the costs of responding to these incidents, rather than leaving schools, local agencies and taxpayers to shoulder the full burden.
“Families should not have to worry that a false emergency report will turn an ordinary school day into a frightening and dangerous experience,” Briggs said. “This law gives our schools and campuses another tool to protect their communities while making sure the people responsible can be held accountable for the harm they cause.”
Briggs said the law is an important step toward keeping students, educators and campus communities safe and ensuring emergency resources remain available to people who genuinely need help.
“This is about protecting our communities, supporting our first responders and making sure our schools can focus on educating students instead of responding to deliberate hoaxes,” Briggs said. “I thank Gov. Shapiro for signing this legislation into law and everyone who helped move it forward.”
Briggs represents the 149th Legislative District, which includes Bridgeport, West Conshohocken, Upper Merion and parts of Lower Merion in Montgomery County.
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CONTACT: Ryan Bevitz
House Democratic Communications Office
Phone: 717-787-7895
Email: rbevitz@pahouse.net
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