Bill > HB678

This bill, known as the Mississippi Doxxing Prevention Act, establishes legal protections against the intentional public disclosure of personal information for certain individuals, including law enforcement officers, government employees, court personnel, and witnesses. The bill defines "restricted personal information" as sensitive contact details like home addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses, and creates criminal penalties for knowingly releasing such information with the intent to harass, threaten, intimidate, or incite violence against a "covered person" or their close relations. First-time offenders would face misdemeanor charges with potential fines up to $2,000 and/or up to six months in county jail, while subsequent convictions would be felonies punishable by fines up to $10,000 and/or up to five years in state prison. If the disclosed information leads to a crime of violence, penalties can increase to up to ten years imprisonment. The bill also amends the Mississippi Public Records Act to explicitly exempt "restricted personal information" of covered persons from public disclosure, providing an additional layer of protection for these individuals. The law is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, giving state agencies time to prepare for its implementation.