SEC. 19-5-317. Abusive calls prohibited; sanctions.

(1) When there is not an emergency, no person shall make a telephone call to an emergency telephone service and knowingly or intentionally:

(a) Remain silent;

(b) Make abusive or harassing statements to an emergency telephone service employee; or

(c) Report the existence of an emergency.

(2) No person shall knowingly permit a telephone under his control to be used by another person in a manner described in subsection (1) of this section.

(3) Conviction of a first offense under this section is punishable by a fine not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or by imprisonment for a period of time not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Conviction of any subsequent offense under this section is punishable by a fine not to exceed Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) or by imprisonment for a period of time not to exceed one (1) year, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(4) For the purpose of this section, "emergency telephone service" shall mean a service established under Sections 19-5-301 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972, or established under the provisions of a local and private act enacted prior to October 20, 1987.

SOURCES: Laws, 1992, ch. 447, Sec. 1, eff from and after July 1, 1992.

1997 Amendment:

SECTION 1. Section 19-5-317, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

 19-5-317. (1) When there is not an emergency, no person shall make a telephone call to an emergency telephone service and knowingly or intentionally:

 (a) Remain silent;

 (b) Make abusive or harassing statements to an emergency telephone service employee; * * *

 (c) Report the existence of an emergency; or

 (d) Falsely report a crime.

 (2) No person shall knowingly permit a telephone under his control to be used by another person in a manner described in subsection (1) of this section.

 (3) Conviction of a first offense under this section is punishable by a fine not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or by imprisonment for a period of time not to exceed one (1) year, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Conviction of any subsequent offense under this section is punishable by a fine not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) or by imprisonment for a period of time not to exceed three (3) years, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

 (4) For the purpose of this section, "emergency telephone service" shall mean a service established under Section 19-5-301 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972, or established under the provisions of a local and private act enacted prior to October 20, 1987.

 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.

 SOURCE: 1997 Laws, Chapter 409, Sec. 1, HB412, Effective July 1, 1997.