AUGUSTA – The Maine House voted largely along party lines Tuesday to advance a bill sponsored by Rep. Melanie Sachs, D-Freeport, that would prohibit the act of doxing a minor. The vote was 78-69.
“Doxing can have disastrous consequences for young Mainers who are victims,” said Sachs. “No child should have to suffer that experience, and this bill ensures accountability for those who engage in this behavior. I’m proud that this bill received support in the House.”
As amended, 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.
The 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 someone close to them, reasonable fear for their own physical safety or the physical safety of someone close to them 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 further votes in the House and Senate.
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.
Contact:
Brian Lee (Sachs) | 305-965-2744