H.B. 493 or Ridgways Law signed by Governor

Enrolled Copy H.B. 493

1 STALKING AMENDMENTS

2 2008 GENERAL SESSION

3 STATE OF UTAH

4 Chief Sponsor: Lorie D. Fowlke

5 Senate Sponsor: Curtis S. Bramble

6

7 LONG TITLE

8 General Description:

9 The bill modifies the Criminal Code regarding the elements and penalties for the offense

10 of stalking.

11 Highlighted Provisions:

12 This bill:

13 < amends the definition of "course of conduct" to include contacting a victim by any

14 means, acting through third parties, and sending or delivering items to the victim;

15 < includes as an element a victim's fear for the victim's own safety or the safety of third

16 parties;

17 < defines "emotional distress";

18 < includes stalking by electronic communication as an offense;

19 < expands the reference to other parties whom the victim may fear for so the reference

20 includes any third party, rather than only immediate family; and

21 < provides that the defendant may not claim as a defense that the victim did not give

22 the defendant actual notice that the course of conduct was unwanted by the victim