Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed a bill toughening the law for those who make false 9-1-1 calls sending first responders to areas where there is no emergency.

House Bill 462, sponsored by State Rep. Kevin Miller (R-Newark) addresses the issue of so-called “swatting”, which is when someone intentionally makes a false 9-1-1 call to tie-up emergency resources.

“With an uptick in these incidents nationwide and in Ohio, we need to crack down on them as they are dangerous for our residents and first responders,” Miller said.

The FBI estimates approximately 400 swatting incidents occur across the country each year, including several in Ohio.

Under current law, swatting only leads to misdemeanor offenses, but the legislation makes it a fourth-degree felony unless the violation results in serious physical harm to any person then that would make it a second-degree felony.