An Act relative to false reporting of an emergency

This bill updates Massachusetts law to strictly penalize individuals who intentionally and maliciously make false emergency calls or send false information to 911 centers. It defines specific terms such as "silent call" and "emergency" to clarify what constitutes a punishable offense, ensuring that automated data does not count as provided information. The legislation establishes a tiered penalty system where first-time offenders face misdemeanor charges with fines up to $200 or six months in jail, while repeat offenders or those whose false reports cause great bodily harm or death face felony charges with potential prison sentences of up to five years. Additionally, the bill introduces harsher misdemeanor penalties for false reports motivated by bigotry or bias that threaten a person's constitutional rights, requiring convicted individuals to complete a diversity awareness program.