The bill signed by Governor Matt Blunt Monday is in response to the Megan Meier MySpace suicide. Megan, 13, hanged herself in 2006 after cruel messages about her showed up on a website. Her death prompted lawmakers from St. Charles County to write legislation targeting Internet bullying and harassment.

Megan's mother, Tina Meier, says she's grateful for the law.

"It touches my heart immensely to know that the state of Missouri has worked so hard in honor of my daughter and for all of the other families. So, for me to know that my daughter is still out there working to be able to protect all of the other families for me that's a wonderful thing," she says.

Authorities say a former neighbor of the Meier family played a role in the hoax that led to Megan's death. Lori Drew faces charges in California, where MySpace is based.

The cyberbullying bill also increases the penalty for harassment from a misdemeanor to a felony when its committed by an adult to a minor. © Copyright 2010, St. Louis Public Radio