On Thursday, the Michigan House voted favorably for a two-bill package making cyberbullying a crime in Michigan. The legislation introduced by Representative Peter Lucido (R- Shelby Twp.) outlines what would constitute as cyberbullying and enacts criminal penalties. “This is another instance of the legislature acting to update Michigan’s laws to reflect new and ever-changing technology and the problems that arise as a result,” explained Tim Ward, President of MLC.

The bill defines cyberbullying as posting a message or statement in a public forum about another person if both apply:

• The message or statement is intended to place a person in fear of bodily harm or death and expresses an intent to commit violence against the person
• The message or statement is posted with the intent to communicate a threat or with knowledge that it will be viewed as a threat

The legislation as passed by the House seeks to create the following guidelines:

• 1^st Offense – Misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of 93 days and/or a maximum fine of $500
• 2^nd or subsequent Offense – Misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of 1 year and/or a maximum fine of $1,000
• Cyberbullying involving a continued pattern of harassing or intimidating behavior that by the violation causes serious injury to the victim – A felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000
• Cyberbullying involving a continued pattern of harassing or intimidating behavior causing death – A felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000

The bills will be sent to the Senate for consideration.

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