HB287 Alabama 2023 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Shane StringerRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2023
Title: Relating to crimes and offenses; to create the crime of doxing; to establish penalties for violations; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.
Summary: HB287 makes doxing illegal and imposes penalties for cases of publishing another person's personal information to harass or harm.
What This Bill Does
The bill creates a new crime of doxing, including publishing or sharing personal identifying information to harass, threaten, or harm someone. It also covers doxing of law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other public servants to harass, harm, or impede their work. A first offense would be a Class A misdemeanor; a second or subsequent offense would be a Class C felony. It preserves political speech and some lobbying-related publishing; and it is exempt from required local funding approvals due to constitutional exceptions. It becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects
Individuals whose personal identifying information could be published online or shared to harass or harm them.
Law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other public servants whose information could be published to harass, harm, or impede them.

Key Provisions
Creates the crime of doxing: intentionally publishing personal identifying information of another person to harass, harm, or impede.
Personal identifying information includes home address, information about children (including schools), and any data that could help harass or harm the person.
Penalties: first violation is a Class A misdemeanor; second or subsequent violations are Class C felonies.
Exceptions/protections: political speech is protected; publishing contact information to encourage lobbying is allowed.
Constitutional/local funding note: the act is exempt from the local expenditure requirement under Section 111.05 because it defines a new crime.

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, to create the crime of doxing, to establish penalties for violations