Cyberstalking (H 5748, S 566)

Under a bill proposed by the Attorney General, any person who posts on a website opinions or information – even factual data – could be potentially subject to criminal charges if the posting is designed to “harass” and could cause a person “substantial emotional distress.” Thus, a website or blog designed to mock celebrities or to discredit a business because of poor service could place the poster in criminal jeopardy. At legislative hearings, the ACLU argued that the bill raised enormous First Amendment concerns and should be rejected. The bill died in committee.