Bill aims to curb doxxing of minors by adults in Maine

The proposed bill would prohibit the doxxing of a minor and authorize related civil action against adult perpetrators.

by Leeann Stapleton
March 3, 2025

AUGUSTA, Maine — "Maine lawmakers are considering an #AntiDoxxing bill that was introduced in an effort to protect minors from adults online.

"#LD537 refers to the term 'doxxing,' which means to share someone's personal information usually with malicious intent.

"The anti-doxxing bill was submitted to the legislature in December 2024 by Democratic Rep. Melanie Sachs of Freeport and other state lawmakers.

"Sachs said this particular bill stems from an incident in 2023 involving a Freeport minor being targeted online by an adult.

"After looking further into that incident, Sachs said she observed Maine did not have the resources to deal with doxxing.

"The proposed bill would prohibit adults from sharing or posting personal identifying information of a minor with the intent to cause fear or harm to the child or their relatives.

"Recently, a #transgender teen from Greely won a state track title. The student-athlete became the center of conversation on #TransgenderPeople in girls' and women's sports in Maine after state Rep. #LaurelLibby made a social media post about it. State House lawmakers voted to censure Libby last week over the post.

"Sachs said LD 537 was already in the works and submitted before the February incident occurred.

"'I put in this bill last year, not to remedy any one situation but to find relief for any situation where an adult doxxes a child,' Sachs said. 'We should not have to legislate #decency, but in this day and age, it is really important for all of us to come together, regardless of what the issue is, to say adults should not doxx children, period.'

"A public hearing on LD 536 was held Monday morning in Augusta."

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#TransPeople #TransAthletes #TransMinors #TransRightsAreHumanRights