Bipartisan Ohio Congress members target electronic stalking in new legislation
WASHINGTON, D. C. - A bipartisan Ohio duo in the U.S. House of Representatives have reintroduced legislation that would prohibit use of personal tracking devices to track people without their consent.
The "Stop Electronic Stalking Act" sponsored by Akron Democrat Emilia Sykes and Columbus Republican Mike Carey is similar to Ohio legislation known as H.B 672 that was recently signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine. Sykes introduced the state anti-stalking legislation when she served in Ohio’s House of Representatives before she was elected to Congress.
The proposal in Congress, which is based on Ohio’s bill, would amend the federal criminal code’s definition of stalking to codify that the unauthorized tracking of an individual by a GPS device amounts to stalking. It is meant to prevent victimization and penalize bad actors who use these devices for nefarious purposes.
Though personal tracking devices like Apple AirTags and Tiles are intended to help people keep track of their property, like wallets and keys, they’ve become a tool stalkers use to track former relationship partners without their consent. Current federal stalking law does not explicitly ban unwanted location tracking using an electronic device.
“When I served in the Ohio House of Representatives, a constituent from Akron made me aware that anyone could use this technology to secretly track or stalk people,” said a statement from Sykes. “No one should have to live in fear of being electronically tracked without their consent, which is why I’m introducing this bill to protect all Americans through federal legislation.”
Sykes’ office said her constituent’s ex-partner had put a personal tracking device on her car and tracked her location for several months without her knowledge. The constituent was eventually able to locate and remove the tracking device with police help but was surprised to learn that tracking someone electronically without their consent was not illegal under Ohio law.
“Innovative products like personal tracking devices are helpful to locate belongings when they have been stolen or misplaced,” said a statement from Carey. “Unfortunately, they can also be used by bad actors to track, stalk, and harass unknown people. I am proud to co-lead the Stop Electronic Stalking Act alongside Rep. Sykes to ensure this violating form of stalking is illegal nationwide and protect all Americans from being tracked without their consent.”
The legislation’s endorsers include the Alliance for Safety and Justice, a nonprofit organization that seeks public safety and justice reforms.
“Research shows that domestic violence homicides increase during the period of separation, when an abuser is losing control,” said a statement from Julie Donant, chief executive of Domestic Violence Project, Inc, in Canton. “Legislation like the Stop Electronic Stalking Act helps protect survivors from being tracked during this critical time, saving lives and allowing abusers to be prosecuted if tracking devices are used, ultimately taking away that control.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing violence, you can call the?National Domestic Violence Hotline?at?800-799-7233?for free, 24/7 support.
By: Sabrina Eaton
Source: Cleveland.com