H.R. 5118: Protecting Law Enforcement from Doxxing Act

This bill, titled the "Protecting Law Enforcement from Doxxing Act," proposes to amend U.S. law, specifically title 18 of the United States Code. The main purpose of the bill is to create a criminal offense for the public release of the names of Federal law enforcement officers if the intent behind such disclosure is to obstruct a criminal investigation or an immigration enforcement operation.

Key Provisions

• Definition of Federal Law Enforcement Officer: The bill defines a Federal law enforcement officer as any officer, agent, or employee of the United States authorized to engage in or supervise actions related to the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of federal criminal law or immigration law violations.
• Criminal Offense: It will be considered unlawful to publicly disclose the name of a Federal law enforcement officer with the specific intention to hinder a criminal investigation or immigration enforcement activity.
• Penalties for Violation: Individuals found guilty of violating this provision could face a fine, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.

Technical Amendments

Additionally, the bill includes technical amendments to ensure the language aligns with existing legal provisions. This includes updates to related sections of the United States Code to reflect that the new offense pertains to both criminal investigations and immigration enforcement operations.

Overall Impact

The legislation aims to enhance protections for law enforcement personnel by criminalizing the act of doxxing, which is often associated with harassment or threats. By imposing penalties for such actions, the bill seeks to deter individuals from disclosing sensitive information about law enforcement officers that could impede their roles in enforcing the law.

Relevant Companies

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