Panel advances bill to make repeat swatting a wobbler and provide restitution for victims

Assemblymember Ta introduced AB 327 to address “swatting,” the practice of making false emergency reports that draw highly armed responses. Ta said the bill, as amended, would apply only to adult repeat offenders and allow victims to seek compensation for property damage such as doors destroyed during forced entries.

Supporters included testimony from Matt Hyatt of California Civil Liberties Advocacy and numerous law‑enforcement organizations. Hyatt said the measure addresses a cross‑partisan public-safety problem and noted that single incidents can cost municipalities “anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000” depending on the response. Riverside County and many police and sheriff associations testified in favor.

Opposition testimony came from public-defender groups and civil-liberties organizations that warned the bill risks increasing incarceration for people who are often young or have mental‑health needs. Matt Gonzales, chief attorney of the San Francisco Public Defender's Office, and Leslie Caldwell of the California Public Defenders Association argued existing misdemeanor and federal statutes already provide tools prosecutors can use, and that longer prison terms do not necessarily deter repeat offenders.

Committee members asked about juvenile culpability and mental-health treatment options. The author and staff clarified the amendments exclude juvenile-only conduct from the wobbler enhancement and maintain prosecutorial and judicial discretion. Chair and members discussed federal prosecutions used in high-profile swatting cases and the need for state-level options if federal remedies are unavailable.

The committee voted to pass AB 327, as amended, to Appropriations. Several committee members emphasized the need to balance accountability for repeat, dangerous conduct with treatment and rehabilitative approaches for youth and people with mental health conditions.