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State Lawmaker Wants To Make Cyberbullying a Crime

State Capitol - file photo. Photo by Cheyna Roth, Michigan Public Radio Network
Cheyna Roth
/
Michigan Public Radio Network
The Michigan Capitol building in Lansing where the State House recently passed a proposal that would allow residents to formally reject discriminatory language in housing deeds.

(MPRN-Lansing)  Lawmakers in Michigan say more needs to be done to fight cyberbullying. A new bill is aimed at doing just that. 

A misdemeanor with up to one year in jail. That’s what someone would face if convicted of cyberbullying. The bill makes it a crime to intimidate or harass someone online. It’s waiting for a hearing.

Republican Representative Peter Lucido is a bill sponsor. He says this will help prevent what he calls a growing cyberbullying epidemic.

“If we have these into place, we will put and reign in a lot of the unnecessary behavior of individuals, criminal behavior.”

Law enforcement say they still investigate and request charges for cyberbullying incidents. They can charge stalking and computer related crimes.

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