COLUMBUS, Ohio — This week, more Ohio schools experienced swatting incidents. Police say swatting is when someone makes a false call to law enforcement prompting a large response.

The latest incidents, which happened at three Cincinnati Public Schools, not only ties up public safety resources, but also puts families, students and school officials on edge.

State Representative Kevin Miller knows firsthand the implications of swatting situations. In 2014 he was the Granville post commander for the Ohio State Highway Patrol and received a call about an active shooter situation at Denison University.

“There was a threat was called into there,” said Miller. “Stating someone was coming to the university with an assault weapon to shoot up the university.”

He and his troopers immediately went into action. They also dispatched the sheriff’s office and Granville Police Department.

“I’m racing to Denison University and putting rifles in the back of the SUV to arm my troopers there who are going to be standing guard at entrances at the university thinking full well that they’re going to be engaging with someone,” he said.

It turned out to be a swatting situation. Those found guilty of swatting are usually charged with a misdemeanor, per Ohio Law. But it can be a more serious offense if it includes a bomb threat or causes economic harm of more than $5,000.

“When you take a look at the gravity of this and, like I said, the things that can happen, the things that can go wrong, a misdemeanor is just not appropriate,” said Miller. “It needs to be at a felony level to deter this type of behavior.”

That’s what Miller and other lawmakers say motivated House Bill 462. If passed, a person found guilty of swatting would be charged with a felony and would have to pay restitution to law enforcement.

But not everyone believes this bill is necessary.

“Bills like House Bill 462 are part of the reason why our criminal code has gotten so large and overly complex,” said Niki Clum.

Clum is with the Ohio Public Defenders Office and shared her opposition to the bill during a House Criminal Justice Committee hearing on Tuesday.

Clum said she believes it will only complicate things.

“The behavior that this bill is meant to address is already illegal and more often than not, it’s already a felony,” she said. “Slightly changing the wording and making new offenses creates an unnavigable criminal code.”

Miller has had several hearings in the Ohio House regarding the bill. He hopes to get it passed during the lame duck session.

“People just don’t understand how serious this is,” said Miller. “And that’s what we’re trying to do. We’re try to demonstrate to folks that we’re going to deter this behavior, we’re going to provide an adequate level of punishment if you do this and we’re just going to say swatting is unacceptable in Ohio.”