The bomb threat that closed Emerson schools this week appears to have sparked some copycat threats, authorities say.

Police in Hackensack arrested two 17-year-olds for a threat that forced the city?s high school to be evacuated Thursday. A similar threat also closed a school in Wood-Ridge. Both threats cost authorities and school districts thousands of dollars to investigate.

Now, two lawmakers are sponsoring a bill that would force schools to expel any student who makes a bomb threat that forces schools to be closed. The bill would also force anyone convicted of making a threat to pay for the investigation.

Meanwhile, the schools in Emerson reopened Friday. Authorities are making a plea to whoever is responsible for that threat to turn themselves in.

The teens in the Hackensack incident remain on house arrest until their court date. The police chief says the teens face charges of making terroristic threats and false public alarm.

For the news conference with the Hackensack police chief on the arrests, go to channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.

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