N.Y. Penal Law § 240.55: Falsely reporting an incident in the second degree

§ 240.55 Falsely reporting an incident in the second degree.

A person is guilty of falsely reporting an incident in the second

degree when, knowing the information reported, conveyed or circulated to

be false or baseless, he or she:

1. Initiates or circulates a false report or warning of an alleged

occurrence or impending occurrence of a fire, explosion, or the release

of a hazardous substance under circumstances in which it is not unlikely

that public alarm or inconvenience will result;

2. Reports, by word or action, to any official or quasi-official

agency or organization having the function of dealing with emergencies

involving danger to life or property, an alleged occurrence or impending

occurrence of a fire, explosion, or the release of a hazardous substance

which did not in fact occur or does not in fact exist; or

3. Knowing the information reported, conveyed or circulated to be

false or baseless and under circumstances in which it is likely public

alarm or inconvenience will result, he or she initiates or circulates a

report or warning of an alleged occurrence or an impending occurrence of

a fire, an explosion, or the release of a hazardous substance upon any

private premises.

Falsely reporting an incident in the second degree is a class E

felony.