Minnesota Session Laws - 1989, Regular Session

  

                         Laws of Minnesota 1989 

                        CHAPTER 159-H.F.No. 647 
           An act relating to crimes; prohibiting the intentional 
          distribution of destructive computer programs; 
          imposing penalties; amending Minnesota Statutes 1988, 
          sections 609.87, by adding a subdivision; and 609.88, 
          subdivision 1. 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
    Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1988, section 609.87, is 
amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
    Subd. 12.  [DESTRUCTIVE COMPUTER PROGRAM.] "Destructive 
computer program" means a computer program that performs a 
destructive function or produces a destructive product.  A 
program performs a destructive function if it degrades 
performance of the affected computer, associated peripherals or 
a computer program; disables the computer, associated 
peripherals or a computer program; or destroys or alters 
computer programs or data.  A program produces a destructive 
product if it produces unauthorized data, including data that 
make computer memory space unavailable; results in the 
unauthorized alteration of data or computer programs; or 
produces a destructive computer program, including a 
self-replicating computer program.  
    Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1988, section 609.88, 
subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
    Subdivision 1.  [ACTS.] Whoever does any of the following 
is guilty of computer damage and may be sentenced as provided in 
subdivision 2:  
    (a) Intentionally and without authorization damages or 
destroys any computer, computer system, computer network, 
computer software, or any other property specifically defined in 
section 609.87, subdivision 6; or 
    (b) Intentionally and without authorization and with intent 
to injure or defraud alters any computer, computer system, 
computer network, computer software, or any other property 
specifically defined in section 609.87, subdivision 6; or 
     (c) Distributes a destructive computer program, without 
authorization and with intent to damage or destroy any computer, 
computer system, computer network, computer software, or any 
other property specifically defined in section 609.87, 
subdivision 6. 
    Sec. 3.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
    Sections 1 and 2 are effective August 1, 1989, and apply to 
crimes committed after that date. 
    Presented to the governor May 16, 1989 
    Signed by the governor May 17, 1989, 3:30 p.m.