State Computer Harassment or "Cyberstalking" Laws
Law enforcement agencies have estimated that electronic communications are a factor in from 20 percent to 40 percent of all stalking cases. Forty-five states now have laws that explicitly include electronic forms of communication within stalking or harassment laws. State laws that do not include specific references to electronic communication may still apply to those who threaten or harass others online, but specific language can make the laws easier to enforce. Two reports from the U.S. Department of Justice provide detailed information on cyberstalking: Stalking and Domestic Violence: Report to Congress (May 2001) and Cyberstalking: A New Challenge for Law Enforcement and Industry (Aug. 1999). Other related NCSL resources: Enacted Cyberbullying Legislation and Address Confidentiality Programs for Domestic Violence.
Last update: December 19, 2007
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STATE |
CITE |
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Alabama |
Ala. Code § 13A-11-8 |
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Alaska |
Alaska Stat. § 11.41.260, 11.41.270, § 11.61.120 |
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Arizona |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-2921 |
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Arkansas |
Ark. Code § 5-41-108, 5-27-306 |
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California |
Cal. Civil Code § 1708.7, Cal. Penal Code §§ 422, 646.9, 653m |
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Colorado |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-9-111 |
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Connecticut |
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-182b, § 53a-183 |
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Delaware |
Del. Code tit. 11 § 1311 |
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Florida |
Fla. Stat. § 817.568, § 784.048 |
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Georgia |
Georgia Code §§16-5-90, 34-1-7 |
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Hawaii |
Hawaii Rev. Stat. § 711-1106 |
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Illinois |
720 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/12-7.1, 5/12-7.5, 135/1-2, 135/1-3, 135/2 |
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Indiana |
Ind. Code § 35-45-2-2 |
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Iowa |
Iowa Code § 708.7 |
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Kansas |
Kan. Stat. § 21-3438 |
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Louisiana |
La. Rev. Stat. § 14:40.2, La. Rev. Stat. § 14:40.3 |
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Maine |
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17A § 210-A |
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Maryland |
Md. Code tit. 3 § 3-805 |
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Massachusetts |
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 265 § 43, 43A |
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Michigan |
Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.411h, 750.411i, 750.411s |
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Minnesota |
Minn. Stat. § 609.749 |
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Mississippi |
Miss. Code § 97-29-45, § 97-45-15 |
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Missouri |
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 565.225 |
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Montana |
Mont. Code § 45-8-213 |
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Nevada |
Nev. Rev. Stat. § 200.575 |
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New Hampshire |
N.H. Rev. Stat. § 644:4 |
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New York |
New York Penal Law § 240.30 |
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North Carolina |
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-196, 14-196.3 |
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North Dakota |
N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-17-07 |
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Ohio |
Ohio Code § 2903.211, 2913.01(Y), 2917.21(A) |
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Oklahoma |
Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 850, 1172 |
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Oregon |
Or. Rev. Stat. § 163.730, 166.065 |
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Pennsylvania |
Pa. Cons. Stat. tit. 18 § 2709, § 2709.1 |
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Rhode Island |
R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-52-4.2, § 11-52-4.3 |
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South Carolina |
S.C. Code § 16-3-1700(A)(2), 16-3-1700(B) |
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South Dakota |
S.D. Cod. Laws § 22-19A-1 |
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Tennessee |
Tenn. Code § 39-17-308 |
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Texas |
Tx. Penal Code 42.07 |
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Utah |
Utah Code § 76-9-201 |
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Vermont |
13 V.S.A. § 1027, 1061, 1062, 1063 |
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Virginia |
Va. Code § 18.2-60 18.2-152.7:1 |
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Washington |
Wash. Rev. Code § 9.61.260, 9A.46.020, 9A.46.110, 10.14.020 |
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West Virginia |
W. Va. Code § 61-3C-14a |
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Wisconsin |
Wis. Stat. § 947.0125 |
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Wyoming |
Wyo. Stat. § 6-2-506 |
NCSL Contact: Pam Greenberg, 303-364-7700
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