Upgrades crime of stalking when stalking activity is carried out or assisted by installation or use of communication or location monitoring program or device on cellular phone or wireless mobile device.

This bill (S 542) upgrades stalking charges when perpetrators use monitoring technology on a victim’s phone. Specifically, if someone installs or uses a communication or location tracking app on a victim’s cellular device to intercept messages or track their location, the stalking becomes a third-degree crime (instead of fourth-degree). This targets the misuse of widely available apps or devices - like those preinstalled or easily downloaded - to monitor victims. Penalties increase from up to 18 months in jail to 3-5 years, with higher fines. It directly affects stalking victims and perpetrators who exploit mobile device technology to harass them.