To mark National Police Week, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) introduced two new bipartisan federal bills: one to protect law enforcement officers and their families from doxxing — the publishing of personal information online to threaten, intimidate, or facilitate violence — and the Police Athletic/Activities League (PAL) Reauthorization Act. Gottheimer is the Co-Chair of the bipartisan Law Enforcement Caucus.
The bipartisan “Stop the Doxx Act,” which Gottheimer is leading with Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE) and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) It will:
- Make it a federal crime — with strengthened penalties — to knowingly publish the personal information of a federal, state, or local law enforcement officer, prosecutor, judge, or immediate family member with the intent to threaten, intimidate, or facilitate violence.
- The legislation sets penalties of prison time, not just fines, which increases if the conduct results in bodily injury or death.
- The bill also creates a national training program to help officers and public servants better protect their personal information online and understand their rights when their data is leaked.
Gottheimer also introduced the PAL Act, which funds grants to establish Police Athletic League chapters that partner local officers with kids through sports, mentorship, and youth development programming to build trust and prevent crime in their communities.
“You can’t protect our communities if you can’t protect the people who sacrifice so much for us,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Doxxing isn’t harmless online behavior. It is targeted intimidation against the people who keep our families safe, and the law has simply not kept up with the threat. We must always get the backs of those who risk their lives every day to protect us, and that means making sure they and their families are safe both on the job and at home.”
The original announcement can be found here.
