LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Harassment through Facebook, instant messaging and other online services would be outlawed under a new bill in the Nebraska Legislature.
The measure introduced Wednesday by Plattsmouth Sen. Paul Lambert and Lincoln Sen. Amanda McGill would expand an existing telephone harassment law to include online communications.
Lambert says he submitted the bill to modernize the existing law. He says the idea came from conversations with prosecutors in his district who have received complaints about so-called cyber bullying.
Intimidation by telephone would remain a misdemeanor under the bill, but the possible penalties would increase. The bill would apply to threats, obscene language and attempts to extort money.