South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden’s anti-doxxing bills, House Bill 1084 and House Bill 1298, will take effect July 1.
“Protecting our law enforcement officers and public servants from doxxing is of utmost importance,” Rhoden said. “They are on the frontlines every day, working hard to keep us strong, safe, and free, and they should never feel unsafe in their own homes. These bills represent an important step forward in safeguarding the men and women who dedicate their lives to serving our state.”
Doxxing involves publishing personal information about an individual, such as a home address or personal phone number, online with the intent to encourage others to seek that person out at home. HB 1084 removes law enforcement officers’ and judges’ personal information from the public statewide voter files, while HB 1298 establishes doxxing of officers and judges as a crime.
Rhoden and Attorney General Marty Jackley previously led implementation efforts for HB 1084, sending a letter to law enforcement agencies to help ensure officers’ personal information is protected from bad actors.
Rhoden first announced initial versions of both bills during his State of the State address earlier this year.