New York lawmaker wants tougher penalties for false school threats

Falsely reporting a school shooting or a violent incident on school grounds could lead to a felony charge under a proposal increasing penalties for a person convicted of "swatting" under a measure proposed by Democratic state Sen. John Mannion. 

The measure would make knowingly false claims of violence at schools punishable by up to 7 years in prison. 

Mannion's bill is being proposed in the wake of a litany of swatting incidents at schools across New York earlier this month. The intent of swatting is to claim a potentially dangerous incident is occurring in order to scramble police departments to an area. 

“This legislation is about deterrence and sending a message – do not report a false shooting and terrorize and disrupt our communities," Mannion said. "My bill strengthens state law and makes clear that anyone convicted of ‘swatting’ a school faces serious prison time.”

The proposal is not the only measure that has been called for in the wake of the swatting incidents. Multiple lawmakers in recent days, including Republican state Sen. Jim Tedisco, have made proposals to address the issue. 

Tedisco's bill would also boost penalties and charges for making false threats. A separate measure backed by state Sen. Joe Griffo and Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon would make a threat of mass violence a felony charge with a $35,000 attached, along with a three-year prison sentence.