Oklahoma House Unanimously Passes Cybercrime Bill

A bill to address a growing trend of cybercrime unanimously passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives on March 10 with a vote of 92 to 0.

House Bill 1759, authored by Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater, updates language in the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act to better address computer security threats that continue to evolve.

According to a legislative summary, HB 1759 “provides that it is unlawful to use malicious computer programs on a computer or computer network. The measure also provides that is it unlawful to willfully solicit another, regardless of any financial consideration or exchange of property, of any acts prohibited by the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act. The measure provides that the act does not prohibit the testing of a computer system or network by an authorized entity against real or imagined threats or harms.”

“Oklahoma’s economy is becoming more digital and more reliant on technology by the minute,” Ranson said in a statement. “It just makes sense that our laws would continue to adapt so that we can continue to protect small businesses.”

Cybercrime, such as ransomware where criminals deny access to a computer system or data until a ransom is paid, threatens the livelihood of nonprofits, businesses, individuals, and governments.

“This legislation came from conversations with computer security experts,” Ranson said. “There are people who choose to use computers to harm people. With this bill, we can fight back and ensure fewer Oklahomans become victim to cybercrime.”

HB1759 had its first reading in the Senate on March 11.

Source: Oklahoma House of Representatives

Topics Fraud Oklahoma