AI Frontier Institute

Harassment and stalking with a robot; and to provide a penalty.

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North Dakota House Bill 1429 became law. It amends the state's harassment and stalking statutes to cover conduct involving robots. Section 1 amends Section 12.1-17-07 (harassment). It defines "robot" as an artificial object or system that senses, processes, and acts using technology, including associated elements, communication links, and artificial intelligence, and it includes remotely piloted aircraft. It adds a harassment offense: with intent to frighten or harass another, a person uses a robot to engage in offensive conduct with no legitimate purpose. Harassment remains a class B misdemeanor, except for the offenses the statute lists as class A misdemeanors. Section 2 amends Section 12.1-17-07.1 (stalking). It uses the same robot definition. It says a "course of conduct" includes an act conducted with a robot in the person's direct control. It defines "stalk" to include unauthorized tracking of a person's movements or location through a GPS, robot, or other electronic means that would frighten, intimidate, or harass a reasonable person and serves no legitimate purpose. Stalking remains a class A misdemeanor. It is a class C felony in the cases the statute lists: a prior conviction involving the same victim, a violation of a protection order, or a prior stalking conviction. Licensed private investigators and peace officers acting within the scope of employment have a defense. The bill passed the House 91-0 and the Senate 45-0, and the Governor signed it.

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