Bill Text: NJ S3003 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Expands cyber-harassment to include tampering or interfering with electronic devices.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-09-27 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee [S3003 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-S3003-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator LINDA R. GREENSTEIN
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Senator BRIAN P. STACK
District 33 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Expands cyber-harassment to include tampering or interfering with electronic devices.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning cyber-harassment and amending P.L.2013, c.272.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 1 of P.L.2013, c.272 (C.2C:33-4.1) is amended to read as follows:
1. a. A person commits the crime of cyber-harassment if, while making a communication in an online capacity via any electronic device or through a social networking site and with the purpose to harass another, the person:
(1) threatens to inflict injury or physical harm to any person or the property of any person;
(2) knowingly sends, posts, comments, requests, suggests, or proposes any lewd, indecent, or obscene material to or about a person with the intent to emotionally harm a reasonable person or place a reasonable person in fear of physical or emotional harm to his person; or
(3) threatens to commit any crime against the person or the person's property.
b. Cyber-harassment is a crime of the fourth degree, unless the person is 21 years of age or older at the time of the offense and impersonates a minor for the purpose of cyber-harassing a minor, in which case it is a crime of the third degree.
c. If a minor under the age of 16 is adjudicated delinquent for cyber-harassment, the court may order as a condition of the sentence that the minor, accompanied by a parent or guardian, complete, in a satisfactory manner, one or both of the following:
(1) a class or training program intended to reduce the tendency toward cyber-harassment behavior; or
(2) a class or training program intended to bring awareness to the dangers associated with cyber-harassment.
d. A parent or guardian who fails to comply with a condition imposed by the court pursuant to subsection c. of this section is a disorderly person and shall be fined not more than $25 for a first offense and not more than $100 for each subsequent offense.
e. Cyber-harassment is a crime of the fourth degree if, with the purpose to harass another and in a manner likely to cause annoyance or alarm, a person tampers or interferes with, any software, computer, cell phone or any other electronic device. As used in this subsection, an "electronic device" includes but is not limited to, a smart home device or system, home security system, computer, digital camera, wireless or portable equipment, entertainment systems or any other device that is capable of transmitting, receiving, or recording messages, images, sounds, data, or other information by electronic means.
(cf: P.L.2013, c.272, s.1)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill would expand the crime of cyber-harassment to include tampering or interfering with smart technology for the purpose of harassing another person. Under the bill, cyber-harassment is a crime of the fourth degree if, with the purpose to harass another and in a manner likely to cause annoyance or alarm, a person tampers or interferes with, any software, computer, cell phone or any other electronic device. The bill defines, an "electronic device" includes but is not limited to, a smart home device or system, home security system, computer, digital camera, wireless or portable equipment, entertainment systems or any other device that is capable of transmitting, receiving, or recording messages, images, sounds, data, or other information by electronic means.
It is the sponsor's belief that expanding cyber-harassment to include smart technology for the purpose of harassing another person, addresses the alarming trend where an offender uses smart technology as a means to harass another person. Moreover, since cyber-harassment is a predicate offense for domestic violence under N.J.S.A.2C:25-19, this bill would encompass this new pattern of behavior which is being seen in some domestic abuse situations where Internet connected locks, thermostats, lights, speakers and cameras are used to harass another person.
