House approves cyberstalking bill

PROVIDENCE — The state House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill that
would make cyberstalking a crime in Rhode Island. Submitted by Rep. Brian Patrick
Kennedy, D — Hopkinton, the bill would make stalking by a computer a crime punishable
by a fine, jail time or both. Cyberstalking occurs when a person uses e-mail,
instant messages, electronic bulletin board postings or Web pages to harass another
person. “This is a much–needed proactive piece of legislation that will halt cyberstalking
in its tracks,” said Kennedy. “As computers become more and more prevalent, so
too have the incidents of cyberstalking. At least 400,000 people in the United
States must endure needless harassment online.”