The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard Rep. Judy’s HB 1444 on criminal and civil liability for ransomware. The bill increases the penalty for computer trespass to a Level 6 felony if the person who commits the offense prevents the owner of the computer system from accessing the computer system, the computer network, or one or more files located on the computer system or computer network. The bill also provides that a person who is the victim of computer trespass may bring a civil action against the person who committed the offense for treble damages, costs, and reasonable attorney’s fees.
An amendment was offered to remove all references to a civil cause of action and civil liability as redundant to existing law. The amended bill passed 11-0.
Read the bill at http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2017/bills/house/1444.