Assembly Member Ta's proposal to modify California's false emergency reporting laws would establish felony-level penalties for adults who repeatedly make false emergency reports or misuse the 911 system. The legislation targets two specific behaviors: knowingly making false emergency reports to government agencies and using the 911 system to harass others.

Under the proposed changes, second or subsequent violations by individuals aged 18 or older could result in either misdemeanor or felony charges, with penalties including up to one year in county jail, fines up to $1,000, or state imprisonment. The bill maintains existing misdemeanor penalties for first-time offenses and preserves current felony provisions for false reports that result in death or great bodily injury.

The legislation also expands financial liability for offenders. Currently, those convicted must reimburse public agencies for emergency response costs. The new provisions would require perpetrators to pay for any property damage resulting from the emergency response. The bill defines an emergency as any condition that prompts response from authorized emergency vehicles or personnel, leads to evacuations, or activates the Emergency Alert System - though it exempts good-faith reports by parents or guardians regarding missing children.