Cyberstalking and Cyberharassment Laws
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STATE CYBERSTALKING AND CYBERHARASSMENT LAWS
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Jan. 12, 2015
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States have enacted "cyberstalking" or "cyberharassment" laws or have laws that
explicitly include electronic forms of communication within more traditional stalking
or harassment laws. This chart identifies state laws that include specific references
to electronic communication. However, other state laws may still apply to those
who harass, threaten or bully others online, although specific language may make
the laws easier to enforce. This chart classifies the various state laws addressing
these three different types of online behaviors, as described below.
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Pam Greenberg
(This chart does not cover cyberbullying laws. Cyberbullying and cyberharassment
are sometimes used interchangeably, but cyberbullying generally refers to
electronic harassment or bullying among minors within a school context. See the
NCSL's Education Program's cyberbullying page for more information on cyberbullyings laws and legislation.)
PLEASE NOTE: NCSL cannot provide assistance with individual cases. NCSL serves state legislators and their
staff. This site provides comparative information only and should not be construed as legal advice.
For information about how to deal with cyberstalking or online harassment, visit OnGuardOnline or follow
these guidelines.
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Redistricting
Cyberstalking. Cyberstalking is the use of the Internet, email or other electronic communications to stalk,
and generally refers to a pattern of threatening or malicious behaviors. Cyberstalking may be considered the most
dangerous of the three types of Internet harassment, based on a posing credible threat of harm. Sanctions range from
misdemeanors to felonies.
Cyberharassment. Cyberharassment differs from cyberstalking in that it may generally be defined as not involving a
credible threat. Cyberharassment usually pertains to threatening or harassing email messages, instant messages, or
to blog entries or websites dedicated solely to tormenting an individual. Some states approach cyberharrassment
by including language addressing electronic communications in general harassment statutes, while others have created
stand-alone cyberharassment statutes.
State-Tribal Institute
Telecommunications and Information
Technology
Crime
Information Technology and Management
Legislative Information Technology
Privacy and Security
Telecommunications Technology and
Regulation
Transportation
See also: State laws related to electronic solicitation or luring of children, Internet filtering laws--schools and libraries,
and NCSL LegisBrief: Protecting Children Online.
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State Statutes
State/Territory
Cyberstalking
Alabama
Cyberharassment
Ala. Code 13A-11-8
Alaska
Alaska Stat. 11.41.260,
11.41.270
Arizona
Ariz. Rev. Stat. 13-2923
Arkansas
Ark. Code 5-41-108
Ark. Code 5-41-108
California
Cal. Civil Code 1708.7, Cal
Penal Code 646.9
Cal. Penal Code 422, 653.2, 653m
Colorado
Colo. Rev. Stat. 18-602, 18-9111
Colo. Rev. Stat. 18-9-111
Connecticut
Conn. Gen. Stat. 53-181d
Conn. Gen. Stat. 53a-182b, 53a-183
Ariz. Rev. Stat. 13-2916, 132921
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Cyberstalking and Cyberharassment Laws
Delaware
1/12/15, 9:04 PM
Del. Code tit. 11 1311
Florida
Fla. Stat. 784.048
Georgia
Georgia Code 16-5-90
Hawaii
Fla. Stat. 784.048
Hawaii Rev. Stat. 711-1106
Idaho
Idaho Stat. 18-7905, 18-7906
Illinois
720 ILCS 5/12-7.3, 5/12-7.5
740 ILCS 21/1 et seq.
720 ILCS 51/26.5-3, 720 ILCS 51/26.5-5
Indiana
Ind. Code 35-45-2-2
Iowa
Iowa Code 708.7
Kansas
Kan. Stat. 21-5427
Kentucky
Ky. Rev. Stat. 508.130 to .150
Louisiana
La. Rev. Stat. 14:40.2, 14:40.3
Maine
Me. Rev. Stat. tit 17A 210A (see
2007 Me. Laws,
Ch. 685, sec. 3 re: intent)
Maryland
Kan. Stat. 21-6206
Md. Code tit. 3 3-805 (2013 H.B. 396,
Chapter 369)
Massachusetts
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 265 43
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 265 43A
Michigan
Mich. Comp. Laws 750.411h,
750.411i
Mich. Comp. Laws 750.411s
Minnesota
Minn. Stat. 609.749
Minn. Stat. 609.795
Mississippi
Miss. Code 97-45-15, 97-4517, 97-3-107
Miss. Code 97-29-45
Missouri
Mo. Rev. Stat. 565.225
Mo. Rev. Stat. 565.090
Montana
Mont. Code Ann. 45-5-220
Mont. Code Ann. 45-8-213
Nebraska*
Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-311.02
Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-311.02
Nevada
Nev. Rev. Stat. 200.575
New Hampshire
New Jersey
N.H. Rev. Stat. 644:4
N.J. Stat. 2C:12-10, 2C:12-10.1
New Mexico*
N.M. Stat. 30-3A-3
New York
New York Penal Law 120.45 1
New York Penal Law 240.30
North Carolina
N.C. Gen. Stat. 14-196.3
N.C. Gen. Stat. 14-196(b)
North Dakota
N.D. Cent. Code 12.1-17-07
Ohio
Ohio Rev. Code 2903.211
Ohio Rev. Code 2917.21(A), 2913.01(Y)
Oklahoma
Okla. Stat. tit. 21 1173
Okla. Stat. tit. 21 1172
Oregon
Or. Rev. Stat. 163.730 to
163.732
Or. Rev. Stat. 166.065
Pennsylvania
Pa. Cons. Stat. tit. 18 2709.1
Pa. Cons. Stat. tit. 18 2709(a), 2709(f)
Rhode Island
R.I. Gen. Laws 8-8.1-1, 11-524.2
R.I. Gen. Laws 11-52-4.2
South Carolina
S.C. Code 16-3-1700
S.C. Code 16-3-1700, 16-17-430
South Dakota
S.D. Cod. Laws 22-19A
S.D. Cod. Laws 22-19A
Tennessee
Tenn. Code 39-17-315
Tenn. Code 39-17-308
Texas
Tx. Penal Code 33.07
Utah
Utah Code 76-5-106.5
Utah Code 76-9-201
Vermont
Vt. Stat. tit. 13 1061, 1062,
1063
Vt. Stat. tit. 13 1027
Virginia
Va. Code 18.2-60
Va. Code 18.2-152.7:1
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Cyberstalking and Cyberharassment Laws
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Virginia
Va. Code 18.2-60
Va. Code 18.2-152.7:1
Washington
Wash. Rev. Code
9A.46.110, 9.61.260
Wash. Rev. Code 9A.46.020, 10.14.020
West Virginia
W. Va. Code 61-3C-14a
Wisconsin
Wis. Stat. 947.0125
Wyoming
Wyo. Stat. 6-2-506
Territories:
Guam
X.G.C.A. tit. 9 19.69, 19.70
X.G.C.A. tit. 9 19.69, 19.70
* Statute does not specify "electronic" or "Internet," but refers to "telephoning, contacting, or otherwise
communicating..." (Nebraska) or "by any action, method, device or means..." (New Mexico).
1
Does not refer to electronic communication, but prohibits unauthorized tracking by use of GPS or other electronic
device.
PLEASE NOTE: The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) serves state legislators and their staff. This site
provides comparative information only and should not be construed as legal advice. NCSL cannot provide assistance
with individual cases.
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