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SF 35

A bill for an act relating to harassment by the dissemination, publication, distribution, or posting of personal information, and making penalties applicable.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Charlie McClintock

Iowa SF 35 criminalizes harassment via publishing personal information without consent, passed Senate unanimously, now in House Public Safety Committee.

Rereferred to Public Safety.
#criminaloffenders #harassment #misdemeanors #notices #personalinformation #publications
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Bill Summary · SF 35

Legislative bill overview

SF 35 criminalizes harassment through the dissemination, publication, distribution, or posting of personal information about individuals without consent. The bill establishes penalties for this form of harassment, commonly known as "doxxing," and has already passed the Iowa Senate unanimously before being referred to the House Public Safety Committee.

Why is this important

Doxxing—publishing someone's private information online to enable harassment, threats, or physical harm—has become an increasingly serious problem affecting victims' safety, privacy, and ability to participate in public discourse. This legislation attempts to provide legal recourse and deterrence against coordinated harassment campaigns that can have severe real-world consequences including stalking, assault, and threats to personal security.

Potential points of contention

  • Free speech implications: Defining the line between sharing factual information and illegal harassment, particularly regarding information already in the public domain or matters of legitimate public concern
  • Enforcement challenges: Determining prosecutorial standards, burden of proof regarding intent to harass, and how to handle cases involving anonymized accounts or out-of-state perpetrators
  • Scope ambiguity: Whether the law adequately distinguishes between malicious doxxing and legitimate journalism, activism, or reporting on public figures and their associates

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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