Cyberbullying (Grace’s Law 2.0)
Effective October 2019
Enacted in 2013 and strengthened in 2019 by Maryland advocates and legislators to address the ever-changing digital landscape, Grace’s Law makes misuse of internet-based communications with the intent to intimidate or harass a minor, a criminal offense. The law prohibits electronic communications or conduct that may cause physical or emotional distress, including inducing a minor to commit suicide. It also prohibits electronic conduct that has malicious intent. A person who is found guilty of violating this law is subject to imprisonment and/or fines up to 10 years and $10,000.
Click here for a flier describing Grace's Law 2.0.
Defines Electronic Communication as:
Transmitting information
Data
Writing
Images
Communicating through:
Instant messaging
Websites
Social media
Prohibits Electronic Communication that:
Intends to intimidate, harass, alarm or annoy the other
Continues after a reasonable request to stop
Inflicts serious emotional distress
Places a minor in reasonable fear of death or bodily harm
Causes physical injury or serious emotional distress
Shocks the Conscience
Inducing a minor to commit suicide
Also Prohibits Specific Types of Electronic Conduct:
Conduct that includes:
Building a fake social media profile
Posing as another person
Disseminating information concerning sexual activity of a minor
Disseminating real or doctored image of a minor
Sustained (unwanted) communication with a minor
Provoking harassment or stalking a minor
Subscribing a minor to a pornographic website
Makes violations of these prohibitions misdemeanors punishable by imprisonment and/or fines (minors charged will likely be through juvenile courts)
For all the above except inducing a minor to commit suicide:
3 years imprisonment and/or $10,000
For inducing a minor to commit suicide:
10 years imprisonment and/or $10,000