A person commits the crime of false reporting when the person initiates or circulates a false report knowing it is likely to cause evacuation of a building or assembly, public inconvenience or alarm, or an emergency response.  A person may be charged with first, second, or third degree false reporting depending on the degree of recklessness and harm caused.  False reporting in the third degree is a gross misdemeanor.  Emergency response includes any action to protect life, health, or property by a peace officer or law enforcement officer.

An individual who is a victim of a crime of false reporting may bring a civil action against the person who committed the offense or anyone who participated in the offense and may recover damages, including reasonable attorneys' fees.

A person may bring a civil action for damages against any person who knowingly causes a law enforcement officer to arrive at a location to contact another person with the intent to:

• infringe on the other person's constitutional rights;
• unlawfully discriminate against the other person;
• cause the other person to feel harassed, humiliated, or embarrassed;
• cause the other person to be expelled from a place in which the other person is lawfully located; or
• damage the other person's reputation or financial, economic, consumer or business prospects.

A person may not be held liable if they summoned the police officer in good faith. 

A prevailing plaintiff may recover the greater of economic and noneconomic damages, or $250 against each defendant found liable.  The court may also award punitive damages and reasonable costs and attorneys' fees.

A civil action may be maintained in a court of limited jurisdiction if the total damages claimed do not exceed the statutory limit for damages that the court of limited jurisdiction may award.