School Bomb Threats Are a Class E Felony 

New York State legislation passed in 1999 makes it a Class E felony for anyone to issue a false bomb threat directed toward a school in New York State.  The law also includes the crime of falsely reporting an incident of an explosion, fire, or the release of a hazardous substance.  Individuals convicted of issuing a bomb threat face felony criminal prosecution, as well as a one-year suspension of their driver's license. 

Persons may face youthful offender or juvenile delinquency adjudication.  This new law directs that any bomb threat or falsely reporting an incident unrelated to school grounds is now a Class A misdemeanor.

Related legislation was passed permitting municipalities, fire districts, and other emergency service providers to seek restitution costs associated with their response to a bomb threat on school grounds.  The legislation allows for up to $10,000 in restitution to be paid by any individual convicted of reporting a false incident or bomb, and up to $5,000 to be paid by the parents of a child who makes a false report. Parents may make a hardship application to the Court for judgments over $500.