Raising awareness and encouraging the prevention of stalking by designating January 2026 as "National Stalking Awareness Month".
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 1021
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-27: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-17T15:19:29Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 1021) aims to raise public awareness about the crime of stalking, highlight its impacts on victims, and encourage prevention efforts by officially designating January 2026 as "National Stalking Awareness Month." It emphasizes education, support for victims, and improved responses from various sectors without creating new laws or funding.
Key Provisions
The resolution includes a series of factual "Whereas" clauses outlining the scope and effects of stalking, followed by four main directives in the "Resolved" section:
- Designation: Officially recognizes January 2026 as "National Stalking Awareness Month" to educate the public on stalking.
- Recognition of Efforts: Applauds the work of service providers, police departments, prosecutors' offices, national and community organizations, colleges and universities, and private sector entities in combating stalking, supporting victims, and raising awareness.
- Encouragement for Action: Urges policymakers, criminal justice officials (like police and courts), victim service agencies, human service groups, higher education institutions, and nonprofits to boost awareness of stalking and expand access to tailored victim services.
- Promotion by Broader Entities: Calls on national and community organizations, private businesses, and media outlets to actively promote awareness of stalking during the designated month.
The "Whereas" clauses provide statistics and context, such as:
- Stalking affects about 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men in the U.S. over their lifetimes, with over 13.4 million reported victims annually.
- Most stalkers are known to victims (e.g., intimate partners or acquaintances), and stalking often involves threats, technology (like social media or GPS tracking), and long durations (e.g., weekly pursuits or lasting 5+ years).
- Victims face severe consequences, including fear, mental health issues (like anxiety and depression), job changes, relocations, and higher risks of intimate partner violence or homicide.
- Stalking is already illegal under federal law, all state laws, and military codes, but many victims do not report it, and responses need improvement, especially on college campuses and for technology-facilitated cases.
- Young adults (18-24) and college students (particularly those with disabilities) face the highest risks.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This resolution introduces no changes to existing laws. It is a non-binding expression of the House of Representatives' views and does not amend statutes, allocate funds, or impose requirements. Stalking remains a crime under current federal, state, and military laws, but the resolution highlights gaps in reporting, prosecution, and services without altering legal frameworks.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Increases public education about stalking's prevalence and dangers, potentially encouraging more victims to seek help and reducing stigma around reporting. It may empower individuals, especially young adults and college students, to recognize and prevent stalking, including online forms.
- On Government Agencies: Prompts criminal justice entities (e.g., police and prosecutors) to enhance investigations and prosecutions, though without mandates or resources. It could indirectly improve victim services through heightened awareness.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the resolution is domestic-focused.
- Overall, the effects are symbolic and educational, fostering voluntary collaboration rather than enforceable actions. It marks the 22nd anniversary of the first such awareness month, building on prior efforts.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Victims and Potential Victims: Primarily women, young adults (18-24), college students (including those with disabilities), and individuals from diverse backgrounds (race, gender, sexual orientation, etc.), who may benefit from increased awareness and services.
- Service Providers and Organizations: National and local victim support groups, shelters, hotlines, nonprofits, and human service agencies, which are encouraged to expand tailored programs.
- Criminal Justice System: Police departments, prosecutors' offices, and courts, urged to improve responses to stalking cases.
- Educational Institutions: Colleges and universities, responsible for addressing campus stalking, especially among students.
- Private Sector and Media: Businesses and media outlets, called upon to promote awareness campaigns.
- Policymakers: Federal, state, and local officials, encouraged to support anti-stalking initiatives.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces that stalking is a recognized crime nationwide but underscores needs for better enforcement and victim support without creating new obligations. It promotes innovative responses to emerging issues like technology-facilitated stalking (e.g., via apps or social media) within existing laws.
- Constitutional: As a simple resolution, it aligns with Congress's free speech and informational roles under the First Amendment, expressing collective views without infringing on rights or requiring action.
- Political: Symbolically elevates stalking as a public health and safety issue, potentially influencing future legislation on victim rights or campus safety. Introduced by bipartisan sponsors (Rep. Fitzpatrick and Rep. Dingell), it reflects cross-party consensus on awareness but lacks binding power, serving more as a call to action for voluntary societal improvements.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-27: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-01-27: Submitted in House
- 2026-01-27: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Raising awareness and encouraging the prevention of stalking by designating January 2026 as "National Stalking Awareness Month". — issued 2026-01-27 — PDF (4 pages)