Report Title:

Harassment by Stalking; Computer Communication

 

Description:

Provides that harassment includes all computer communications; adds computer communication as a form of nonconsensual contact in the offense of harassment by stalking.  Makes such offenses a class C felony.  Eff. 7/1/2050. (SD2)

 


THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2456

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

S.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

RELATING TO HARASSMENT.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  Section 711-1106, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§711-1106  Harassment.  (1)  A person commits the offense of harassment if, with intent to harass, annoy, or alarm any other person, that person:

    (a)   Strikes, shoves, kicks, or otherwise touches another person in an offensive manner or subjects the other person to offensive physical contact;

    (b)   Insults, taunts, or challenges another person in a manner likely to provoke an immediate violent response or that would cause the other person to reasonably believe that the actor intends to cause bodily injury to the recipient or another or damage to the property of the recipient or another;

    (c)   Repeatedly makes telephone calls, facsimile, [or] electronic mail transmissions, or other computer communication without purpose of legitimate communication;

    (d)   Repeatedly makes a communication anonymously or at an extremely inconvenient hour;

    (e)   Repeatedly makes communications, after being advised by the person to whom the communication is directed that further communication is unwelcome; or

    (f)   Makes a communication using offensively coarse language that would cause the recipient to reasonably believe that the actor intends to cause bodily injury to the recipient or another or damage to the property of the recipient or another.

     (2)  Harassment is a [petty misdemeanor.] class C felony."

     SECTION 2.  Section 711-1106.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (3) and (4) to read as follows:

     "(3)  For purposes of this section, "nonconsensual contact" means any contact that occurs without that individual's consent or in disregard of that person's express desire that the contact be avoided or discontinued.  Nonconsensual contact includes direct personal visual or oral contact and contact via telephone, facsimile, [or] electronic mail transmission[.], or any other computer communication.

     (4)  Harassment by stalking is a [misdemeanor.] class C felony."

     SECTION 3.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun, before its effective date.

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.