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6/6/2024
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House passes Rep. Dawson’s electronic stalking bill
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STATE HOUSE – The House of Representatives today passed legislation sponsored by Rep. Matthew S. Dawson that would make it a misdemeanor to harass another person by using an electronic device to record their movements.
“Currently, there is a significant hole in our state’s stalking law due to the advancement of new technologies, and video stalking and harassment is much easier to conceal now with high-definition cameras in everyone’s pockets. This bill will close a loophole that has left residents of this state with fear and anxiety due to creeps following them around and recording their every movement,” said Representative Dawson (D-Dist. 65, East Providence).
The legislation (2024-H 7798) would make it a misdemeanor to harass another person by following them and using an electronic device to record their movements in any public or private place if it serves no legitimate purpose.
Harassment is defined as a knowing and willful course of conduct directed at a specific person that a reasonable person would consider seriously annoying or seriously tormenting and that serves no legitimate purpose. It would include, but not be limited to, the act or acts of repeatedly following someone and using an electronic device to record their movements in any public or private place.
Any person found guilty of this act would be punished by imprisonment of not more than one year, by a fine of not more than $1,000, or both.
The legislation now heads to the Senate for consideration.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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