ANNAPOLIS, Md. — After passing the Maryland Senate unanimously, Grace's Law 2.0 passed through the House of Delegates with the same ease.
Grace's Law 2.0 is an updated version of Grace's Law, which was passed in 2013. The new version will modify the original to reflect the expansion in social media that's happened since then. Under the new bill, a person cannot use the internet to bully a minor, create a fake social media profile to bully someone, encourage others to post and share sexual information about the minor, and more.
Someone who violates the law and bullies with the intent to have them commit suicide could face up to 10 years of jail time and/or a $10,000 fine. All other violations of cyber bullying are considered misdemeanors and are punishable for up to three years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
The bill is named after 15-year-old Grace McComas, a teenager from Howard County who committed suicide in 2012 after repeated online bullying.
