---
title: 5 Things to Know About New Cyber-bulllying Penalties
description: Act 26 of 2015 signed by Governor Wolf on July 10, 2015 will take effect in 60 days. Here are 5 things you need to know about the new penalties.
---

[Achievement House Blog ](https://achievementcharter.com/blog)

# [5 Things to Know About New Cyber-bulllying Penalties](https://achievementcharter.com/blog/5-things-to-know)

 Written by [Alane Butler](https://achievementcharter.com/blog/author/abutler) | Aug 2, 2015 10:10:00 AM

**Here are 5 things to know about Act 26.**

1. The new law creates the ***offense of "cyberharassment,"*** which would include:

- making seriously disparaging statements about a child's physical characteristics,
- sexuality,
- sexual activity or
- mental or physical health
- threats to inflict harm.

1. The harassment could be ***made electronically, either directly to the child or through social media.***
2. For a juvenile charged with the crime, a diversionary program, which might include an educational program on cyberharassment, would be considered first. Successful completion could lead to the juvenile's record being expunged.
3. The law makes cyberharassment of a child ***a third-degree misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum $2,500 fine and/or one year in prison.***
4. The law could help schools, which are often expected to handle cyberbullying whether it happens on school grounds or not. “An** offense under subsection (a.1) may be deemed to have been committed at the place where the child who is the subject of the communication resides.”**

[http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/li/ucons...](http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/li/ucons...)

Adapted from: Angie Mason, York Daily Register 07/13/2015 “Cyberbullying of Children Becomes Punishable Offense in PA”. Downloaded from the Web:[http://www.ydr.com/local/ci_28477001/cyberbullying...](http://www.ydr.com/local/ci_28477001/cyberbullying-children-becomes-punishable-offense-pa)

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