Establishes the crime of doxing a police officer, peace officer, or state officer

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Angelino and 17 co-sponsors

Creates a crime for doxxing police, peace, or state officers to protect officials from targeted privacy invasions and threats.

REFERRED TO CODES

Bill Summary: A 513 – Establishes the crime of doxing a police officer, peace officer, or state officer

Overview

A 513 is a New York State Assembly bill introduced on January 8, 2025, that would create a new criminal offense specifically addressing the doxing (public disclosure of personal information) of certain public safety and state officials. The bill has been referred to the Codes Committee for consideration.

Purpose and Intent

Purpose: To criminalize the act of doxxing individuals serving as police officers, peace officers, or state officers.

Intent indicators (inferred from the title and status): Strengthen protections for law enforcement and state officers against targeted privacy invasions and potential harassment or threats arising from public exposure of personal information.

Key Provisions (as indicated by the bill’s title)

Creation of a new offense: The bill would establish doxing as a crime when applied to police officers, peace officers, or state officers.

Scope: Targets individuals serving in law enforcement or state officer roles.

Specific elements, penalties, defenses, and procedural details are not provided in the materials available for this summary. If enacted, the bill would typically define doxing, specify prohibited conduct, set penalties, and outline any exceptions or affirmative defenses.

Affected Parties and Stakeholders

Primary beneficiaries: Police officers, peace officers, and state officers who would receive legal protection against doxxing.

Broader public: Depending on the bill’s definitions and penalties, the public could be affected by changes in enforcement practices, potential chilling effects on lawful information sharing, and considerations related to free speech.

Lawmakers and government bodies: The bill reflects legislative interest in safeguarding public officials from doxxing and related intimidation.

Legislative History and Status

Introduced: January 8, 2025.

Current status: Referred to the Codes Committee (REFERRAL TO CODES) on January 8, 2025 (listed twice in the actions).

Sponsorship: Carries a large group of cosponsors with Carrie Woerner listed as the primary sponsor.

Notable related bills: A 10911, A 1281, A 1530 (prior-session), and S 112 (companion). The presence of companion bills suggests parallel or related proposals in another chamber.

Related Provisions and Context

The companion and related bill references indicate ongoing consideration of doxxing-related offenses in the legislature, potentially aligning definitions, penalties, and enforcement across houses.

Potential Impact and Considerations

Public safety and officer protection: If enacted, the bill could deter targeted doxxing of officers and support safer working conditions.

First Amendment and privacy considerations: As with similar measures, key questions will include definitions of doxing, permissible information disclosure, and potential constitutional challenges or defenses.

Implementation: The bill would require codification into existing criminal statutes, with corresponding enforcement mechanisms and possible training for law enforcement and prosecutors.

For readers seeking specifics (definitions, penalties, and exceptions), the bill’s full text and any amendments during committee review will provide the exact language.