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:
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Defines Electronic Communication as:
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Transmitting information
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Data
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Writing
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Images
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Communicating through:
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Email
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Instant messaging
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Websites
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Social media
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Prohibits Electronic Communication that:
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Intends to intimidate, harass, alarm or annoy the other
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Continues after a reasonable request to stop
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Inflicts serious emotional distress
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Places a minor in reasonable fear of death or bodily harm
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Causes physical injury or serious emotional distress
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Shocks the Conscience
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Inducing a minor to commit suicide
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Also Prohibits Specific Types of Electronic Conduct:
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Conduct that includes:
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Building a fake social media profile
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Posing as another person
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Disseminating information concerning sexual activity of a minor
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Disseminating real or doctored image of a minor
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Sustained (unwanted) communication with a minor
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Provoking harassment or stalking a minor
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Subscribing a minor to a pornographic website
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Makes violations of these prohibitions misdemeanors punishable by imprisonment and/or fines (minors charged will likely be through juvenile courts)
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For all the above except inducing a minor to commit suicide:
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3 years imprisonment and/or $10,000
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For inducing a minor to commit suicide:
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10 years imprisonment and/or $10,000
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