Grace's Law 2.0

Thu, 01/23/2020 - 9:00am

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.

 

Grace's Law:

  • Defines Electronic Communication as:

    • Transmitting information

    • Data

    • Writing

    • Images

    • Communicating through:

      • Email

      • 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