NewsNational

Actions

A law outlawing cyberbullying will go into effect in Michigan later this week

Posted at 3:22 PM, Mar 25, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-25 15:22:55-04

Michigan's new cyberbullying law will go into effect on March 27.

Public Act 457 of 2018, sponsored by Rep. Pete Lucido (R-Shelby Township), formally defines cyberbullying as a misdemeanor.

It states that cyberbullying is a crime punishable by 93 days in jail or a fine of up to $500.

In addition, a person who engages in a continued pattern of harassing or intimidating behavior and causes serious injury to the victim is guilty of a felony punishable by up to five years and a $5,000 fine.

A "pattern of repeated harassment" is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The pattern means a a series of two or more separate noncontinuous acts of harassing or intimidating behavior.

According to the law, cyberbullying includes posting a message or statement in a public media forum about any other person if both of the following 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 intended to communicate a threat or with knowledge that it will be viewed as a threat.

For more information on the law, click here.