Utah statute

Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-105.5 — Emergency reporting abuse.

Current through 2026 General Session

Part of Part 1: Breaches of the Peace and Related Offenses, Utah Code.

Criminal charges under this statute

Emergency reporting abuse

Full text of Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-105.5

Statutory text current through the 2026 General Session. This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Utah.

Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-105.5Primary source, current through the 2026 General Session

(1)(a) As used in this section: (1)(a)(i) "Emergency" means a situation in which property or human life is in jeopardy and the prompt summoning of aid is essential to the preservation of human life or property. (1)(a)(ii) "Weapon of mass destruction" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-15-301. (1)(b) Terms defined in Section 76-1-101.5 apply to this section. (2) An actor commits emergency reporting abuse if the actor: (2)(a) reports an emergency or causes an emergency to be reported, through any means, to a public, private, or volunteer entity whose purpose is to respond to fire, police, or medical emergencies, when the actor knows the reported emergency does not exist; (2)(b) makes a false report, or intentionally aids, abets, or causes another person to make a false report, through any means to an emergency response service, including a law enforcement dispatcher or a 911 emergency response service, if the false report claims that: (2)(b)(i) an emergency exists or will exist; (2)(b)(ii) the emergency described in Subsection (2)(b)(i) involves an imminent or future threat of serious bodily injury, serious physical injury, or death; and (2)(b)(iii) the emergency described in Subsection (2)(b)(i) is occurring, or will occur, at a specified location; (2)(c) makes a false report after having previously made a false report, or intentionally aids, abets, or causes a third party to make a false report, to an emergency response service, including a law enforcement dispatcher or a 911 emergency response service, alleging a violation of Section 63G-31-302 regarding a sex-designated changing room; or (2)(d)(i) under circumstances not amounting to an offense described in Subsection (2)(a) or (b), contacts, through any means, a 911 emergency response service, when the actor knows, or reasonably should know, that no actual or perceived emergency, crime, or other circumstance jeopardizing public safety exists; and (2)(d)(ii) has previously been informed by a 911 response service dispatcher, a law enforcement officer, or a prosecuting attorney that the circumstance the actor is reporting to a 911 emergency response service, or a substantially similar circumstance, is not a circumstance that is appropriate for being reported to a 911 emergency response service. (3)(a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), (f), or (g), a violation of Subsection (2)(a) is a class B misdemeanor. (3)(b) A violation of Subsection (2)(a) is a second degree felony if the report is regarding a weapon of mass destruction. (3)(c) A violation of Subsection (2)(b) is a second degree felony. (3)(d) A violation of Subsection (2)(c) is a class B misdemeanor. (3)(e) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(f) or (g), a violation of Subsection (2)(d) is a class B misdemeanor. (3)(f) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b) or (g), a violation of Subsection (2)(a) or (d) is a class A misdemeanor if: (3)(f)(i) the violation is the actor's third or subsequent conviction or adjudication under Subsection (2)(a), (b), or (d); or (3)(f)(ii)(A) the actor was reckless as to whether the actor's violation could jeopardize the safety of any individual; and (3)(f)(ii)(B) the actor's violation causes an emergency response, or a delay of an emergency response to another request for emergency services, that results in serious bodily injury to an individual or pecuniary loss equal to, or in excess of, $5,000 in value. (3)(g) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), a violation of Subsection (2)(a) or (d) is a third degree felony if: (3)(g)(i) the actor was reckless as to whether the actor's violation could jeopardize the safety of any individual; and (3)(g)(ii) the actor's violation causes an emergency response, or a delay of an emergency response to another request for emergency services, that results in the death of any individual. (4)(a) In addition to another penalty authorized by law, a court shall order an actor convicted of a violation of this section to: (4)(a)(i) reimburse a federal, state, or local unit of government, or a private business, organization, individual, or entity for all expenses and losses incurred in responding to the violation; and (4)(a)(ii)(A) serve a minimum of four days of incarceration; or (4)(a)(ii)(B) perform a minimum of 40 hours of community service. (4)(b) The court may order that the actor pay less than the full amount of the costs described in Subsection (4)(a)(i) only if the court states on the record the reasons why the reimbursement would be inappropriate.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is emergency reporting abuse a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?

It depends on the circumstances: emergency reporting abuse ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Second Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-105.5.

False emergency report (base offense): Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-105.5(3)(a)) · False emergency report involving weapon of mass destruction: Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-105.5(3)(b)) · False report of imminent threat at specified location: Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-105.5(3)(c)) · False report alleging sex-designated changing room violation after prior false report: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-105.5(3)(d)) · Improper 911 contact after prior warning: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-105.5(3)(e)) · Repeat or reckless false report/improper 911 contact causing injury or loss: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-105.5(3)(f)) · Reckless false report/improper 911 contact causing death: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-105.5(3)(g))

Which Utah statute covers emergency reporting abuse?

Emergency reporting abuse is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-105.5 (Emergency reporting abuse).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.