AUGUSTA – The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee voted last Wednesday to advance a bill sponsored by Rep. Melanie Sachs, D-Freeport, that would prohibit the act of doxing a minor.
“As a licensed social worker for almost 30 years, I’ve seen firsthand how adverse experiences can affect children,” said Sachs. “Doxing is devastating to both the physical and psychological wellbeing of our young people. No child should have to endure that experience. This bill would hold those who engage in this sort of conduct accountable, and I’m glad the committee voted to advance it.”
Rep. Sachs’ bill would prohibit an adult from doxing a minor and make the act of doxing a civil violation. She brought the legislation forward after learning about an incident in her local school district in 2023, in which a student was doxed by an adult on social media.
Doxing of a minor is defined as the intentional, knowing or reckless disclosure by a person of personal identifying information that directly or indirectly causes physical harm to the minor. Doxing also includes serious damage to the property of the minor or close relation of the minor or reasonable fear for their own physical safety or the physical safety of their close relation or any conduct that would constitute stalking under current law.
Several states have passed legislation in recent years that would impose civil or criminal penalties for doxing. Currently, Maine has no laws addressing this issue.
The bill faces votes in the House and Senate in the coming weeks.
Sachs is serving her third term in the Maine House and represents Freeport. She serves as House chair of the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee.