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MaineLD 537132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Prohibit the Doxing of a Minor and to Authorize a Related Civil Action

Sponsored By: Melanie Sachs (Democratic)

Became Law

HUMAN RIGHTSHUMAN RIGHTS - PRIVACY

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Families can sue over minor doxing

The law lets a minor, through a representative, sue someone who unlawfully doxes them. A court can order an injunction to stop or remove harmful posts. The court can also award actual and compensatory damages, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees and costs to the winner. Defenses include the minor’s consent (with limits), a parent’s or guardian’s consent (with limits), lawful reports to police, reporting about public officials’ unlawful or abusive acts, and constitutionally protected speech.

Doxing a minor is illegal

The law makes it a crime to dox a minor. Doxing means intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly sharing a minor’s personal identifying information. The disclosure must cause stalking, physical harm, serious property damage, or a reasonable fear for the minor’s or a close relation’s safety. A minor is under 18, or 18 or older and enrolled in a Maine secondary school. Courts can treat related acts as one course of conduct under protective laws, which helps enforcement and court orders.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Melanie Sachs

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Ambureen Rana

    Democratic • House

  • Amy Kuhn

    Democratic • House

  • Anne M. Carney

    Democratic • Senate

  • Deqa Dhalac

    Democratic • House

  • Laurie Osher

    Democratic • House

  • Matt Moonen

    Democratic • House

  • Michael Brennan

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 96 • No: 83

Senate vote • 6/10/2025

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 18 • No: 14

House vote • 6/10/2025

ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP

Yes: 78 • No: 69

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 417

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/11/2025Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/10/2025House

  4. Reports ReadOn motion by Senator CARNEY of Cumberland the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-604) Report ACCEPTED. PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 441 Yeas 18 - Nays 14 - Excused 3 - Absent 0 Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (H-604) READ and ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-604) in concurrence.

    6/10/2025Senate

  5. Reports READ.On motion of Representative KUHN of Falmouth, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 406(Yeas 78 - Nays 69 - Absent 2 - Excused 2)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-604) was READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-604). Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/10/2025House

  6. Carried over, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025House

  7. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY in concurrence

    2/11/2025Senate

  8. Committee on Judiciary suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    2/11/2025House

Bill Text

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