"An Act relating to the definition of the crime of harassment; and providing for an effective date. "

The rapid evolution of technology often outpaces a statute's ability to protect Alaskans from offensive and criminal behavior. The invention and widespread adoption of digital cameras in all sorts of products ranging from pens to cellular phones has opened new avenues for those bent on harassing others to cause anguish, hurt and humiliation.

House Bill 326, An Act relating to harassment, builds on my previous effort in the 23rd Legislature to cover harassment through e-mail and other electronic means. With camera phones and hidden digital cameras, individuals can take lewd and obscene pictures of others and post them electronically.

When this is done as part of a pattern of threats and intimidation it should be considered harassment. HB 326 changes the current statute to include the publishing or posting of lewd or obscene pictures in the definition of harassment.

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