By MES Dispatch Staff
The Briefing
- Ohio state Rep. Gayle Manning, R-North Ridgeville, has introduced House Bill 1033, which would make it a felony to publish a peace officer’s personal information online with intent to intimidate, threaten or cause physical harm.
- Covered information would include a home address, birth date or phone number.
- Violators would face a third-degree felony, punishable by up to a $10,000 fine, probation or prison time.
- Manning said she introduced the bill after the Lorain Police Department approached her about an officer who was cleared of wrongdoing but still faced intense online backlash.
- With the legislative session winding down, Manning said she will reintroduce the bill next session if needed.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — An Ohio lawmaker has introduced legislation that would make it a felony to post a police officer’s personal information online with the intent to intimidate, threaten or physically harm them, WOIO reported.
Rep. Gayle Manning, R-North Ridgeville, sponsored House Bill 1033 after the Lorain Police Department approached her about an officer who was found to have done nothing wrong but became the target of widespread online backlash. “They were found they had not done anything wrong, but then that information goes viral,” Manning told WOIO. She said social media then spread it across the country.
Under the bill, publicly disclosing a peace officer’s personally identifying information, such as a home address, birth date or phone number, would be illegal when done to intimidate, threaten or cause physical harm. A violation would be a third-degree felony carrying up to a $10,000 fine, probation or a prison sentence.
Manning said the bill targets malicious doxxing and harassment rather than news reporting or free speech. “It would not affect the news,” she said.
A similar bill to protect federal law enforcement officers was introduced in Congress last September but has stalled in committee. Manning said she believes the Ohio proposal has better odds because it is bipartisan and two retired peace officers serving in the legislature have signed on.
Manning acknowledged that time is limited to pass the bill before the current session ends. She said she will reintroduce it next session if necessary.