At a previous hearing, the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 140 on public safety sponsored by Rep. Zimmerman and Rep. Bascom and authored by Sen. Freeman and Sen. Becker. The bill provides that:
- A person who knowingly or intentionally posts personal information of a targeted person, or of a person closely connected to the targeted person, to communicate a threat to the targeted person in retaliation for a prior lawful act commits doxxing.
- Doxxing is a: (1) Class A misdemeanor; (2) Level 6 felony if the posting of the personal information results in the targeted person, or a person closely connected to the targeted person, suffering a serious bodily injury; or (3) Level 5 felony if the posting of the personal information results in the targeted person, or a person closely connected to the targeted person, suffering a catastrophic injury or death.
- Certain conduct is not prohibited by the statute.
- The statute may not be construed to prevent, prohibit, limit, or restrict the freedom of expression protected by the Constitution of the State of Indiana or the Constitution of the United States.
On February 11, 2026, the Committee heard the bill for amend and vote. The Committee amended the bill by consent to:
- Permit drone use to constitute remote aerial harassment in certain circumstances.
- Prohibit the release of personally identifying information concerning a railroad crew in a public report concerning a railroad fatality.
- Amends the definition of “threat” in the intimidation statute to include posting a person’s personal information on a social media platform with the intent to cause: (1) bodily injury to the person; (2) damage to the person’s property; or (3) the commission of a crime against the person.
- Provide that “personal information” means disclosing two or more items of information.
- Increases the penalty for intimidation if committed against a legislator.
- Deletes the separate doxxing statute.
The Anti-Defamation League previously testified in support of the bill. The amended bill passed 13-0.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/senate/140