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Pennsylvania House Passes Bill On Cyber Bullying

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A bill creating the offense of cyber harassment of a child in Pennsylvania has the overwhelming approval of the state House of Representatives.

The bill passed Monday, 193-to-5, and goes to the Senate for consideration.

Under the bill, cyber harassment of a child would be a third-degree misdemeanor and a perpetrator under 18 would be under the jurisdiction of juvenile court.

The bill defines the crime as being committed with an intent to harass, annoy or alarm by using electronic social media to disparage the child's health, characteristics, sexuality or sexual activity, or to threaten harm.

A third-degree misdemeanor allows for a maximum of one year in prison.

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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