HB403 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Shane StringerRepresentative

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Chip BrownTracy EstesGil IsbellCraig LipscombRhett MarquesParker MooreEd OliverRex ReynoldsMatt SimpsonJeff SorrellsAndy Whitt

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Doxing, crime of created, penalties

Summary

HB403 would create the crime of doxing in Alabama and set penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

It makes it illegal to publish or share someone’s personal identifying information with the intent that others will harass or harm them, and the act must result in harassment or harm. It also covers publishing this information about law enforcement officers, firefighters, or public servants with the intent to harass, harm, or impede their duties, with actual harassment, harm, or impediment. Penalties are a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class D felony for a second or later offense. The bill is exempt from certain local-funding approval requirements because it creates a new crime, and it becomes effective on the first day of the third month after the governor signs it.

Who It Affects

• Individuals whose personal identifying information could be published and who may be harassed or harmed as a result.
• Law enforcement officers, firefighters, and public servants whose personal information could be published to harass, harm, or impede their governmental duties.

Key Provisions

• Defines personal identifying information to include home/work addresses, phone numbers, emails, photos, information about a victim's children and schools, and any other details that would enable locating, contacting, harassing, threatening, or harming the person.
• Creates the crime of doxing: publishing or providing personal identifying information with the intent that others will harass or harm, and actual harassment or harm occurs; and publishing or providing such information about a public servant, with the intent to harass, harm, or impede their duties, and actual harassment, harm, or impediment occurs.
• Penalties: first violation is a Class A misdemeanor; a second or subsequent violation is a Class D felony.
• Excludes the bill from certain local-funding requirements under Amendment 621 because it defines a new crime or amends an existing crime.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor's approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses