SECTION 1. Chapter 11-52 of the General Laws entitled "Computer Crime" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following sections:
11-52-4.2. Cyberstalking prohibited. --
Whoever transmit any communication by computer to any person repeatedly or causes any person to be contacted repeatedly for the sole purpose of harassing, annoying, or molesting that person or his or her family; or whoever transmits any communication by computer to any person for the purpose of using any threatening, vulgar, indecent, obscene language, is guilty of cyberstalking, a misdemeanor, and shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, or both.
A second or subsequent conviction under subsection (a) shall be deemed a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years, by a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or both.
11-52-4.3. Violation of restraining order. --
Whenever there is a restraining order or injunction issued by a court of competent jurisdiction enjoining one person from harassing another person, and the person so enjoined is convicted of the crime of cyberstalking as set forth in section 11-52-4.2 for actions against the person protected by the court order or injunction, he or she shall be guilty of a felony which shall be punishable by imprisonment for not more than two (2) years or by a fine of not more than six thousand dollars ($6,000), or both.
A second or subsequent conviction under subsection (a) shall be punishable by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years, by a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or both.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
