SB 27 Georgia Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Stalking; offense of doxxing; penalties; protective order; provide

Summary
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 7 of Chapter 5 of Title 16 of the Official Georgia Code Annotated, relating to stalking, so as to provide for the offense of doxxing; to provide for penalties; to provide for a protective order; to provide for a civil action; to provide for venue; to provide for definitions; to provide for statutory construction; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 27, 2025 Last action Mar 19, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed Senate LC 48 1609S/hss · 7 edits
MODERATE
This bill was amended by the House Judiciary Committee to strengthen Georgia's anti-doxing laws by expanding definitions, increasing penalties, and clarifying what constitutes illegal posting of private information. The changes make it easier to prosecute doxing cases while adding protections for legitimate activities like law enforcement reporting and real estate listings.
Scope change
The bill now applies more broadly to include information about close relations of victims and clarifies that property addresses shown on mapping platforms are not protected information unless they identify occupants.
DEFINITION

Changed 'Close relation' definition to remove 'former' spouse, making the protection apply only to current spouses rather than past relationships.

Narrowed 'Personally identifiable information' to focus on residence, location, employer, and future location based on visit history, while explicitly excluding property addresses shown on real estate or mapping platforms.

Added new definitions for 'Social media platform' and 'Stalking' to reference existing state law definitions.

ENFORCEMENT

Increased penalties for doxing - second or subsequent convictions now carry felony charges with up to 2 years imprisonment and minimum $5,000 fine instead of high and aggravated misdemeanor.

Changed aggravated doxing from a felony with 1-3 years imprisonment to requiring proof that the victim actually suffered fear or injury before criminal charges apply.

REQUIREMENT

Added new exemptions protecting information shared with law enforcement agencies and for reporting unlawful conduct.

Added explicit protection for speech and assembly activities under the First Amendment and Georgia Constitution.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 6, 2025

How they voted

502
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 55
Mar 6, 2025
D Democratic22
18 Yea 1 Nay 3
81% Yea
R Republican33
32 Yea 1 Nay
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
11
Key actions
4
Committee
5
Mar 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
lower
Apr 4, 2025
Committee
House Withdrawn, Recommitted
lower
Mar 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
upper
Mar 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
upper
Jan 28, 2025
Committee
Senate Read and Referred
upper
Jan 27, 2025
Introduced
Senate Hopper
upper
13 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors