May 20, 2026
Mr. Gottheimer (for himself, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Moskowitz, Ms. Stefanik, Ms. Gillen, Mr. Lawler, Mr. Davis of North Carolina, Mr. Fitzpatrick, and Mr. Rutherford) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the doxxing of law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Stop the Doxx Act
.
Sec. 2. Findings
Congress finds the following:
(1)
Targeted harassment of law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges has increased significantly in recent years, including threats made possible by the online publication of personal information.
(2)
The publication of home addresses, personal contact information, and family details of public servants with intent to intimidate poses a direct threat to public safety and the integrity of the justice system.
(3)
No comprehensive Federal statute currently prohibits this conduct.
Sec. 3. Prohibition on doxxing of protected public servants
(a) In general
Chapter 73 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
1522. Doxxing of protected public servants
(a) Offense
Whoever, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, knowingly publishes or otherwise makes publicly available the home address, personal telephone number, personal email address, or other personally identifying information of a covered public servant or an immediate family member, with intent to threaten, intimidate, or facilitate violence against that person, shall be—
(1)
in the case of a first offense, fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both;
(2)
in the case of a second or subsequest offense, fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 20 years, or both; or
(3)
in the case of an offense that results in bodily injury or death—
(A)
in the case of a first offense, fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 30 years, or both; or
(B)
in the case of a second or subsequent offense, fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 40 years, or both.
(b) Civil action
A covered public servant or an immediate family member who is the victim of a violation of this section may bring a civil action in an appropriate district court of the United States. In a civil action under this subsection, the court may award damages, injunctive relief, and attorney's fees.
(c) Definitions
In this section:
(1)
The term covered public servant means a Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer, prosecutor, or judge.
(2)
The term immediate family member means a spouse, child, parent, or sibling of a covered public servant.
(3)
The term publishes means to post on a publicly accessible website, social media platform, online forum, or any other digital or print medium accessible to third parties.
(b) Clerical amendment
The table of sections for chapter 73 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
Sec. 4. Training for protected public servants on personal information security
(a) In general
The Attorney General shall establish and make available a comprehensive training program for covered public servants (as such term is defined in section 1522 of title 18, United States Code) on protecting personal information online.
(b) Delivery and Accessibility
The training program shall be—
(1)
made available online and through in-person formats to accommodate Federal, State, and local agencies of varying size and resource capacity;
(2)
updated no less than annually to reflect current threats and evolving digital environments; and
(3)
offered at no cost to covered public servants at the Federal, State, and local level.
(c) Encouragement to State and Local Agencies
The Attorney General shall encourage State and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutorial offices, and court systems to require completion of the training program established under this section as part of their standard onboarding and annual continuing education requirements.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.