Assembly Judiciary Committee releases A3561 to create crime of doxxing after ADL testimony

The Assembly Judiciary Committee voted to release A3561, a bill that would establish the crime of doxxing, after testimony from the Anti‑Defamation League urging the committee to report the bill favorably.

Ross Wiseman, assistant regional director of the Anti‑Defamation League’s Philadelphia office, told the committee the ADL has tracked increased online harassment and that doxxing "occurs when a person publicly shares another individual's personal identifying information without their consent with the intent to harm them, and the dissemination causes a real risk of physical harm to or stalking of that individual or their close relation." He cited a 2024 ADL survey the testimony described as finding that 56% of Americans have experienced online hate and 41% severe online harassment.

Wiseman described a recent example in New Jersey in which a man's visit to his children's school was recorded and posted online with identifying information, allowing others to determine his identity and his children's school. "That was a clear violation of that man and his children's rights," he said, and urged lawmakers to treat doxxing as a serious violation.

Assemblyman Oth, identified in the record as a second prime on the bill, said many constituents in North Jersey had been affected and asked colleagues to "look at this bill favorably." After brief committee discussion the panel moved and seconded a motion to release A3561. The roll‑call style responses recorded in the hearing were in the affirmative for Assemblywoman Flynn, Assemblyman Auth, Assemblyman Ebenizia, Assemblyman Hutchison, Vice Chairwoman Murphy and Chairwoman Park. The chair stated, "The bill is released."

The bill now moves out of the Judiciary Committee for further consideration in the full Assembly.