It's an issue that may cause a change in the landscape of social media here in Michigan if passed through the Senate. Cyber bullying is committed by millions of people over social media daily and is something that needs to be handled properly according to Rep. Peter Lucido, Republican of Shelby Township.

Detroit Free Press reports that bullying someone online would become a misdemeanor crime punishable by 93 days in jail and a $500 fine under a  new bill passed by the state House of Representatives last Thursday. A second offense would carry a sentence of up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine, while a continuous pattern against someone else that caused serious injury to the victim would be a Felonious 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Any bullying resulting in a death would be 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine

Lucido, who sponsers the new bill, commented on the subject saying:

Right now, you can't prosecute someone for an internet crime, but they're committing crimes over these electronic devices and we can't prosecute. We can't even bring a cop to a door to say enough is enough. We used to pass the note. We used tell each other face to face about how we feel. But now because you're not face to face, the personal interaction is taken out of it.

The bills – HB 5017-5018 – passed on votes of 91-17 and 92-17. They have now moved on to the Senate for consideration.


 

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