House moves to make e-mail harrassment illegal

The crime of harassment via e-mail would be established if Governor Vilsack signs a bill headed to his desk. The House yesterday gave final approval to the bill, which was sponsored by Representative Steve Falck, a democrat from Stanley. He says the Iowa Code needs to be updated to bring it into the electronic age we’re now in.Under current Iowa law, you can be charged with harassment for in-person threats, as well as phone calls and written letters — but not for threatening e-mail. He says the opportunity for harrassment has increase with more and more people sending e-mail. Stanley says the state needs to get ahead of the issue before it becomes a big problem.