West Virginia House: Criminalize online bullying of minors
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Cyberbullying minors would become a crime in West Virginia, with penalties up to a $500 fine, a year in jail or both, under legislation passed on Monday by the House of Delegates.
The bill, supported by the West Virginia PTA, would outlaw using a computer or network to harass, bully or intimidate anyone under 18. It would specifically prohibit building a fake profile for or posing online as a minor in emails, chat rooms or social media platforms.
Underage violators would be prosecuted as juveniles subject to findings of delinquency, unless prosecutors think their crimes belong in adult court, Judiciary Committee Chairman John Shott said.