CA Considers New Cyberbullying Law
Aug 12, 2008
California's Senate voted yesterday in favor of a bill that would allow schools to suspend or expel students who engage in cyberbullying. The State Assembly must now reconcile the Sentate's version with its own before deciding to send the legislation to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for signature. If enacted, California will join other states like Iowa, New Jersey, Oregon, Minnesota and Missouri that have passed laws to try and prevent cyberbullying and harrassment.
In late June, Missiouri's Governor Matt Blunt signed a new law that makes electronic harassment by an adult over the age of 21 a felony punishable with up to four years in prison (those under the age of 21 face misdemeanor charges if convicted).
According to a report in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Missiouri law was 'inspired by' the death of 13-year-old Megan Meier, who committed suicide after allegedly being harassed on MySpace.com. The case received national media attention when federal authorities accused Megan's 49-year-old neighbor Lori Drew of being the one behind the electronic bullying.
The case also led to the introduction of a federal bill known as the Megan Meier Cyberbullying Prevention Act, or HR 6123, that was sponsored by Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) and Rep. Kenny Hulshof (R-MO) in May. Like the Missouri law, the federal bill would make it a crime to engage in electronic harassment with penalties including fines and/or up to two years in prison.
For more info on other states' cyber bullying laws, check out this February 2008 USA Today report.
Tags:
California, child safety, Congress, cyberbullying, Internet safety, Missouri
