1Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
2Consolidated Statutes, further providing for definitions.

3The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
4hereby enacts as follows:

5Section 1. Section 2709.1(f) of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania
6Consolidated Statutes is amended to read:

7§ 2709.1. Stalking.

8* * *

9(f) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
10words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
11subsection:

12"Communicates." To convey a message without intent of
13legitimate communication or address by oral, nonverbal, written
14or electronic means, including telephone, electronic mail,
15Internet, facsimile, telex, wireless communication, social media

1or similar transmission.

2"Course of conduct." A pattern of actions composed of more
3than one act over a period of time, however short, evidencing a
4continuity of conduct. The term includes lewd, lascivious,
5threatening or obscene words, language, drawings, caricatures or
6actions, either in person or anonymously. Acts indicating a
7course of conduct which occur in more than one jurisdiction may
8be used by any other jurisdiction in which an act occurred as
9evidence of a continuing pattern of conduct or a course of
10conduct.

11"Emotional distress." A temporary or permanent state of
12mental anguish.

13"Family or household member." Spouses or persons who have
14been spouses, persons living as spouses or who lived as spouses,
15parents and children, other persons related by consanguinity or
16affinity, current or former sexual or intimate partners or
17persons who share biological parenthood.

18"Social media." The term includes, but is not limited to,
19social networking Internet websites and any other forms of media
20that involve any means of creating, sharing and viewing user-
21generated information through an account, service or Internet
22website.

23Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.