Georgia Senate Bill 421 significantly strengthens the penalties for individuals caught and found guilty of “swatting,” the act of calling in false emergencies to first responders. It passed the Senate with the support of Democrats and Republicans 53-0.

It is about time the General Assembly did something to combat such reckless behavior, though the legislation should come as no surprise. Politicians have become increasingly popular targets for false 911 reports in recent years. U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is one of the more recent victims of “swatting.” Others in all levels of government have had similar experiences with hateful citizens.

There have been so many incidents of this nature, in fact, that the FBI has started a national database.

Politicians are not the only targets. Authorities are receiving fake threats of bombs being placed at religious facilities and false reports of active shooters on college campuses.

It wasn’t too long ago that a hoax involving public school systems across the nation triggered an emergency response within our own school system. It was a cruel lie that caused a lot of needless worry in the community, especially among parents and students.

The people behind these false reports will no longer be treated as simple-minded pranksters. SB 421 will deal with them for the criminals they are.

The measure calls for fines, restitution and time in prison — as many as 10 years — for anyone calling in a bogus claim that requires or brings about an emergency response.

There is nothing funny about falsely summoning police, fire, EMS teams or other emergency services. False reports tie up first responders unnecessarily, and dangerously too in the event of a real emergency.

A hoax that brings police to a residence or business with guns drawn imperils innocent lives. A man in Wichita, Kansas, for example, was shot and killed by a police officer answering a bogus call. A false hostage situation in Maryland led to a man being shot in the face at his home with rubber bullets in 2015.

The state House of Representatives will hopefully do the right thing and pass the legislation. From there it will be up to the district attorneys and judges to carry out the spirit of the law and throw the book at anyone who breaks it.