Bill > S0294

This bill modifies Rhode Island's existing cyberstalking and cyberharassment law by removing the word "sole" from the phrase describing the purpose of electronic communication transmission. Currently, the law requires that electronic communications be transmitted for the "sole purpose of harassing" someone to be considered a criminal offense. By removing the word "sole," the bill makes it easier to prosecute cyberstalking and cyberharassment cases by allowing prosecutors to demonstrate that harassment is a significant purpose of the communication, even if it is not the only purpose. The law defines harassment as a knowing and willful course of conduct that seriously alarms, annoys, or bothers a specific person, which would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress or fear bodily injury. Under this bill, a first offense remains a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500 and/or up to one year in prison, while a second or subsequent conviction becomes a felony with potential imprisonment of up to two years and a fine of up to $6,000. The bill would take effect immediately upon its passage.

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