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Colorado House Passes New Penalties For Cyberbullying

DENVER (AP) — Bullying on social media would be penalized with a misdemeanor harassment charge and possible jail time with a bill approved by Colorado House lawmakers.

The proposal passed the chamber Thursday on a bipartisan 43-22 vote. But some Republicans who opposed the bill worry the proposal is overbroad and could unintentionally chill free speech.

The bill is headed to the Senate for consideration.

Under the bill, cyberbullying would be misdemeanor harassment punishable by as much as $750 in fines and up to six months in county jail.

The bill sponsor, Aurora Democratic Rep. Rhonda Fields, is naming her proposal after Kiana Arellano, a Douglas County high school cheerleader who tried to hang herself in 2013.

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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