Substitute House Bill 151 Summary

• Expands menacing by stalking offense (Section 2903.211) to include causing another person to believe the offender will cause physical harm or mental distress to a family or household member, not just the direct victim.

• Adds new prohibition on posting messages or using graphic gestures via written communication or electronic means with purpose to violate the menacing statute or incite others to do so.

• Elevates menacing by stalking to a fourth-degree felony if offender made threats of physical harm, trespassed on victim's residence/workplace/school, victim is a minor, offender has history of violence, offender possessed deadly weapon, offender was subject to protection order, or offender caused serious physical harm to victim's property.

• Expands telecommunications harassment statute (Section 2917.21) to criminalize making comments that are threatening, intimidating, menacing, coercive, or obscene; interrupting telecommunication service; transmitting communications that prevent phone/device use; making false statements about family members; and posting text, audio, or images on internet websites to abuse, threaten, or harass others.

• Establishes escalating penalties for telecommunications harassment violations based on economic harm caused, ranging from first-degree misdemeanor up to third-degree felony for harms exceeding $150,000.