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State Cyberstalking and Cyberharassment Laws
Last update: Nov. 16, 2012
 PLEASE NOTE: For information about how to deal with cyberstalking or online harassment, visit OnGuardOnline. NCSL serves state legislators and their staff. This
site provides comparative information only and should not be construed as legal advice. NCSL cannot provide assistance with individual cases. For
information on how to stay safe online, visit OnGuardOnline.
Overview
States have enacted "cyberstalking" or "cyberharassment" laws or have laws that explicitly include electronic forms of communication within more traditional stalking or harassment laws. In addition, recent concerns about protecting minors from online bullying or harassment have led states to enact "cyberbullying" laws. This chart identifies state laws that include specific references to electronic communication. However, other state laws may still apply to those who harass, threaten or bully others online, although specific language may make the laws easier to enforce. This chart classifies the various state laws addressing these three different types of online behaviors, as described below.
Cyberstalking. Cyberstalking is the use of the Internet, email or other electronic communications to stalk, and generally refers to a pattern of threatening or malicious behaviors. Cyberstalking may be considered the most dangerous of the three types of Internet harassment, based on a posing credible threat of harm. Sanctions range from misdemeanors to felonies.
Cyberharassment. Cyberharassment differs from cyberstalking in that it may generally be defined as not involving a credible threat. Cyberharassment usually pertains to threatening or harassing email messages, instant messages, or to blog entries or websites dedicated solely to tormenting an individual. Some states approach cyberharrassment by including language addressing electronic communications in general harassment statutes, while others have created stand-alone cyberharassment statutes.
* Note: This chart does not cover cyberbullying laws. Cyberbullying and cyberharassment are sometimes used interchangeably, but cyberbullying generally refers to electronic harassment or bullying among minors within a school context. See the NCSL's Education Program's cyberbullying page for more information on cyberbullyings laws and legislation.
See also: State laws related to electronic solicitation or luring of children, Internet filtering laws--schools and libraries, and NCSL LegisBrief: Protecting Children Online.
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State/Territory
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Cyberstalking
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Cyberharassment
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Alabama
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Ala. Code § 13A-11-8
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Alaska
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Alaska Stat. §§ 11.41.260, 11.41.270
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Arizona
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Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-2923 |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-2916, 13-2921
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Arkansas
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Ark. Code § 5-41-108
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Ark. Code § 5-41-108 |
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California
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Cal. Civil Code § 1708.7, Cal Penal Code § 646.9
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Cal. Penal Code §§ 422, 653.2, 653m |
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Colorado
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Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 18-602, 18-9-111
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Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-9-111 |
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Connecticut
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Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-181d (2012 Public Act 114), 53a-183 |
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-182b, 53a-183 |
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Delaware
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Del. Code tit. 11 § 1311 |
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Florida
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Fla. Stat. § 784.048
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Fla. Stat. § 784.048 |
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Georgia
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Georgia Code § 16-5-90
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Hawaii
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Hawaii Rev. Stat. § 711-1106 |
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Idaho |
Idaho Stat. §§ 18-7905, 18-7906 |
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Illinois
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720 ILCS §§ 5/12-7.5, 740 ILCS 21/10
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720 ILCS §§ 135/1-2, 135/1-3, 135/2 |
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Indiana
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Ind. Code § 35-45-2-2 |
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Iowa
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Iowa Code § 708.7 |
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Kansas
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Kan. Stat. § 21-3438
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Kentucky |
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 508.130 to .150 |
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Louisiana
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La. Rev. Stat. §§ 14:40.2, 14:40.3
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Maine
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Me. Rev. Stat. tit 17A § 210A (see
2007 Me. Laws, Ch. 685, sec. 3)
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Maryland
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Md. Code tit. 3 § 3-805 |
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Massachusetts
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Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 265 § 43
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Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 265 § 43A |
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Michigan
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Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 750.411h, 750.411i
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Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.411s |
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Minnesota
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Minn. Stat. § 609.749
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Minn. Stat. § 609.795 |
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Mississippi
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Miss. Code §§ 97-45-15, 97-45-17, 97-3-107
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Miss. Code § 97-29-45 |
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Missouri
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Mo. Rev. Stat. § 565.225
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Mo. Rev. Stat. § 565.090 |
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Montana
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Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-220
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Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-213 |
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Nebraska* |
Neb. Rev. Stat.§ 28-311.02 |
Neb. Rev. Stat.§ 28-311.02 |
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Nevada
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Nev. Rev. Stat. § 200.575
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New Hampshire
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N.H. Rev. Stat. § 644:4 |
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New Jersey |
N.J. Stat. § 2C:12-10, 2C:12-10.1 |
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New Mexico* |
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N.M. Stat. § 30-3A-3 |
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New York
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New York Penal Law § 240.30 |
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North Carolina
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N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 14-196.3
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N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-196(b) |
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North Dakota
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N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-17-07 |
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Ohio
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Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.211
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Ohio Rev. Code §§ 2917.21(A), 2913.01(Y) |
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Oklahoma
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Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1173
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Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1172 |
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Oregon
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Or. Rev. Stat. §§ 163.730 to 163.732
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Or. Rev. Stat. § 166.065 |
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Pennsylvania
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Pa. Cons. Stat. tit. § 18 2709.1
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Pa. Cons. Stat. tit. 18 § 2709(a), 2709(f) |
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Rhode Island
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R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-52-4.2
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R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-52-4.2 |
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South Carolina
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S.C. Code §§ 16-3-1700(C), 16-3-1700(F)
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S.C. Code §§ 16-3-1700(B), 16-3-1700(C), 16-17-430 |
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South Dakota
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S.D. Cod. Laws § 22-19A-1
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S.D. Cod. Laws § 49-31-31 |
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Tennessee
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Tenn. Code § 39-17-315
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Tenn. Code § 39-17-308 |
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Texas
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Tx. Penal Code § 33.07 |
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Utah
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Utah Code § 76-5-106.5 |
Utah Code § 76-9-201 |
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Vermont
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Vt. Stat. tit. 13 §§ 1061, 1062, 1063
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Vt. Stat. tit. 13 § 1027 |
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Virginia
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Va. Code § 18.2-60
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Va. Code § 18.2-152.7:1 |
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Washington
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Wash. Rev. Code §§ 9A.46.110, 9.61.260
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Wash. Rev. Code §§ 9A.46.020, 10.14.020 |
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West Virginia
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W. Va. Code § 61-3C-14a |
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Wisconsin
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Wis. Stat. § 947.0125
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Wyoming
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Wyo. Stat. § 6-2-506
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Territories:
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Guam |
X.G.C.A. tit. 9 §§ 19.69, 19.70 |
X.G.C.A. tit. 9 §§ 19.69, 19.70 |
* Statute does not specify "electronic" or "Internet," but refers to "telephoning, contacting, or otherwise communicating..." (Nebraska) or "by any action, method, device or means..." (New Mexico).
PLEASE NOTE: The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) serves state legislators and their staff. This site provides comparative information only and should not be construed as legal advice. NCSL cannot provide assistance with individual cases.
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