Stop the Doxx Act

Bill Number

H.R. 8927

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-05-20: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-07-07T07:00:51Z

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of H.R. 8927 (Stop the Doxx Act)

Purpose

This legislation aims to create a new federal crime prohibiting the doxxing of law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges. It seeks to address increased targeted harassment through the online publication of personal information, with the goal of protecting public safety and the justice system. The bill also requires the development of training to help these officials secure their personal information.

Key Provisions

• New Criminal Offense: Amends Title 18 of the U.S. Code by adding Section 1522, which makes it illegal for anyone to knowingly publish or make publicly available the home address, personal phone number, personal email, or other identifying information of a covered public servant or their immediate family member. This must occur in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce and with the intent to threaten, intimidate, or facilitate violence.
• Penalties include fines, imprisonment up to 10 years for a first offense, up to 20 years for repeat offenses, and up to 30 or 40 years if the act results in bodily injury or death.
• Civil Remedies: Victims (the covered public servant or family member) may file a civil lawsuit in federal district court to seek damages, court orders to stop the conduct, and attorney fees.
• Definitions: "Covered public servant" includes federal, state, or local law enforcement officers, prosecutors, or judges. "Immediate family member" covers spouses, children, parents, or siblings. "Publishes" refers to posting on websites, social media, forums, or other accessible media.
• Training Program: Directs the Attorney General to create and provide free training on protecting personal information online, available in online and in-person formats, updated yearly, and encouraged for use by state and local agencies during onboarding and ongoing education. Funding is authorized as needed.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces the first comprehensive federal statute specifically banning doxxing of these public servants, as no such broad prohibition previously existed in federal law.
• Establishes both criminal penalties and a private right to sue, expanding enforcement options beyond existing general harassment or threat laws.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Requires the Department of Justice to develop and maintain the training program, which federal agencies must follow and which state/local agencies are encouraged to adopt. This could increase administrative and resource demands on agencies of varying sizes.
• On Citizens: Provides enhanced protections for public servants and their families against harassment, potentially reducing risks from online threats, though it may limit certain public disclosures of information.
• On International Relations: The inclusion of "foreign commerce" could extend the law's reach to actions originating outside the U.S. that affect covered individuals, potentially involving cross-border enforcement.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal, state, and local law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges, along with their immediate family members.
• The U.S. Attorney General and Department of Justice, responsible for training and enforcement.
• State and local agencies, encouraged to integrate the training.
• Individuals or entities that publish personal information online, who could face criminal or civil liability.
• The broader public and justice system, through efforts to maintain integrity and safety.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Relies on an interstate or foreign commerce connection to establish federal authority, similar to other federal crimes. It creates tiered penalties based on offense history and harm caused.
• Constitutional: The intent requirement (to threaten or intimidate) may help align the law with free speech protections, but it could raise questions about the balance between public information access and personal safety.
• Political: The bill reflects bipartisan support in its introduction and addresses documented rises in harassment of justice system officials, with a focus on practical tools like training to complement the new prohibitions.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]

Cosponsors (8)

Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21], Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5]

Recent Actions

• 2026-05-20: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2026-05-20: Introduced in House
• 2026-05-20: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Stop the Doxx Act — issued 2026-05-20 — PDF (5 pages)