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LD 537

An Act To Prohibit The Doxing Of A Minor And To Authorize A Related Civil Action

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Michael Brennan and 7 co-sponsors

Bans doxing of minors and lets a minor or guardian sue violators civilly for harms, protecting kids from publicizing private info and harassment with small General Fund impact.

Became Law without Governor's Signature
#humanrights #minors #privacy
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · LD 537

Summary — LD 537: An Act To Prohibit The Doxing of a Minor and To Authorize a Related Civil Action

Status: Became law without the Governor’s signature (enacted 2025-06-24)
Introduced: 2025-02-11 (Rep. Sachs of Freeport)
Subject: Human rights, minors, privacy

Purpose

The bill prohibits the practice commonly known as “doxing” when the target is a minor and creates a statutory civil remedy for those harmed by such conduct. The intent is to protect children and adolescents from having personal identifying information publicly disclosed in a way that exposes them to harassment, threats, stalking, or other harms.

Key provisions (as reflected by the bill title and legislative actions)

  • Prohibition: Establishes a legal prohibition against doxing a minor (the enacted text should be consulted for the bill’s definition of “doxing,” covered types of information, and any intent or knowledge elements).
  • Civil cause of action: Authorizes a civil lawsuit by or on behalf of a minor (or their guardian) against persons who engage in prohibited doxing conduct.
  • Remedies and enforcement: While the legislative summary and fiscal documents show that a civil remedy is authorized, the specific remedies (e.g., injunctive relief, actual or statutory damages, punitive damages, costs, and attorney’s fees) are contained in the enacted statutory text and should be reviewed for exact details.
  • Committee amendment: Committee Amendment “A” (H‑604) was adopted prior to final passage; that amendment modified the bill as engrossed (review the engrossed bill for the precise amended language).

Who is affected

  • Minors: Intended beneficiaries of the new prohibition and civil remedy.
  • Individuals who publish or distribute another person’s identifying information about a minor may be subject to civil liability.
  • Courts: May see an increase in civil filings alleging doxing of minors.
  • State finances: General Fund may see minor cost and revenue changes (see Fiscal Impact).

Fiscal and procedural impacts

  • Fiscal notes (preliminary and amended versions) consistently report:
    • Minor cost increase to the General Fund.
    • Minor revenue increase to the General Fund from additional court filing fees.
    • The bill may increase the number of civil suits filed, but the expected workload is minimal and does not require additional appropriations.
  • Legislative actions/timeline:
    • Referred to Judiciary Committee (2/11/2025); multiple work sessions and amendments in spring 2025.
    • Committee Amendment “A” (H‑604) adopted (6/10/2025).
    • Passed both chambers (House roll call: Yeas 78, Nays 69, Absent 2, Excused 2; Senate roll call: Yeas 18, Nays 14, Excused 3).
    • Enacted without Governor’s signature (6/24/2025).

Where to find the full text

For precise definitions, prohibited acts, procedural rules, and remedies, consult the enacted statutory language and the engrossed bill (LD 537, as amended by H‑604) on the Maine Legislature website or the official legislative docket.

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

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