New Bill Targets Dangerous SWATTING Pranks In Michigan

Under a new bill introduced to the Michigan Senate on April 15, 2025, calling law enforcement and falsely reporting a violent crime or an explosive at a location (known as SWATTING) would become a felony that packs a four-year sentence.

RELATED: FBI Warns Michigan Parents: BEWARE of Swatting and Doxing

SWATTING has caused multiple issues over the last several years, mainly affecting schools and teenagers. However, public officials aren't immune to this "prank" either.

SWATTING in Michigan: A Dangerous and Costly Prank

MLive reports that Jackson Public Schools in Jackson, Michigan, had a fake threat phoned in on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Middle School at Parkside. A Facebook post from the district (see above) explained that it was quickly determined that the "call was not a credible threat," once police arrived; however, that was after 20 minutes of students and teachers going into Lockdown Mode.

According ot WOOD TV, Grant Public Schools went into "secure mode" following a faux bomb threat on October 31, 2024. In August of last year, WLNS reports Elissa Slotkin (then US Representative for Michigan, who would later move on to the US Senate) was targeted by a "SWATTING" plot. Even Michigan's Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson, has been a victim—at least twice.

New Bill Adds Stiff Penalties for SWATTERS

Senator Dayna Polehanki of Livonia introduced Michigan State Senate Bill 202 of 2025. In addition to four years for a SWATTING offense, harsher penalties would be implemented if the hoax resulted in injury or death.

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Senate Bill 202 of 2025 was referred to committee along with a companion bill (Senate Bill 203 of 2025) that provides further details on penalties.