Committee advances three measures targeting doxing and nonconsensual image dissemination
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Summary
The House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voted to advance bills criminalizing malicious doxing, narrowing liability for officials who publish public information, and expanding protections against nonconsensual dissemination of intimate images, with amendments adopted to preserve routine official duties.
The House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee on Thursday moved forward a package of bills aimed at criminalizing harmful online conduct and strengthening protections against nonconsensual dissemination of images.
Representative Murray, sponsor of one of the measures, described House Bill 13‑67 as "for the most part, straightforward" and said the committee heard evidence that doxing has led to threats, vandalism and danger to families: "we need to do what we need to do to stop this before it gets more and more violent," she said. The committee voted to recommend HB 13‑67 "ought to pass" by a recorded 12‑0. Murray also led passage of an amendment to House Bill 14‑08 to ensure routine publication of public information by officials isn’t swept into criminal liability; that amendment (0802‑h) passed 12‑0 and the bill was recommended OTPA 12‑0.
Members also advanced House Bill 15‑22, which extends protections for victims of coercive control and targets nonconsensual dissemination of intimate images. Representative Murray described examples of coercive control and urged the committee that the bill "goes a step further for victims of domestic violence." The measure was carried out of committee by recorded action, with supporters saying it fills gaps in existing law.
Committee discussion repeatedly emphasized the need to balance preventing harmful online conduct against preserving legitimate reporting and official duties. Representative Muse asked whether the bills might affect normal news‑gathering or reporting; Murray said the amendment to HB 14‑08 was negotiated to avoid that outcome and to keep legitimate official functions from being criminalized. Representative Sher and others noted drafting issues—particularly the mens rea (mental‑state) language in HB 13‑67—suggesting floor amendments if needed but not seeking to block the bills at the committee stage.
All three measures will proceed with committee recommendations and, in at least one case, will be kept off consent to allow for potential floor amendment. The committee did not take up additional amendments beyond those recorded. The next procedural step is transmittal to the House calendar for potential floor consideration.