This bill amends the West Virginia Computer Crime and Abuse Act to establish a felony offense for using electronic communication devices to threaten crimes of violence. It introduces new definitions, including "crime of violence" and "serious public alarm or inconvenience," and specifies that it is unlawful for individuals to use electronic communication devices to threaten violence, cause panic, or disrupt public order. The bill also clarifies the burden of proof required to establish a threat and prohibits certain defenses in prosecutions related to these offenses.

Additionally, the bill outlines penalties for violations, categorizing them as misdemeanors for lesser offenses and felonies for serious threats that result in evacuations or significant public alarm. Specifically, individuals convicted of felony threats may face fines ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 and imprisonment for one to ten years. The legislation also imposes restrictions on individuals charged or convicted under this section, prohibiting them from residing or being present within 3,000 feet of the location where the threatened violence was to occur during their release period.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 61-3C-14a
Committee Substitute: 61-3C-14a