911 emergency system: nuisance communications.

Existing law makes it an offense for a person to telephone the 911 emergency system with the intent to annoy or harass another person, and makes the offender liable for all reasonable costs incurred by any unnecessary emergency response. This bill would expand those provisions to include communicating with the 911 emergency system using an electronic communication device for those purposes. Existing law makes it an offense for a person to knowingly allow the use or to use the 911 emergency system for any reason other than because of an emergency, and makes the parent or legal guardian having custody and control of an unemancipated minor who commits that offense jointly and severally liable with the minor for the fine imposed as punishment for that offense. This bill would expand those provisions to include making a communication from an electronic communication device to commit the offense. By expanding the scope of existing crimes, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.