Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
This bill, known as the "Protecting Legislators and Survivors of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence from Doxing and Political Violence Act," seeks to improve the safety and security of Members of Congress , their immediate family members , and congressional staff . It defines these individuals as "at-risk individuals" and identifies specific types of sensitive personal data, such as home addresses, phone numbers, and financial details, as "covered information" that requires protection. The legislation mandates that Government agencies must not publicly post or display covered information for at-risk individuals. Upon receiving a written request, agencies are required to remove such information from publicly available content within 72 hours, with limited exceptions for court orders or signed releases. For data brokers , the bill makes it unlawful to knowingly sell, license, trade, or purchase covered information of a "covered person." This protection is significantly expanded to include not only at-risk individuals but also elected officials of State, local, Tribal, or territorial governments, and individuals who certify as survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault . The Attorney General or State attorneys general can enforce these prohibitions. Other persons, businesses, or associations are also prohibited from publicly posting or displaying covered information of an at-risk individual on the internet if requested not to. They must remove the information within 72 hours and refrain from transferring it to others, though exceptions exist for news reporting, commentary on matters of public concern, or information voluntarily published by the individual. The bill allows at-risk individuals to seek injunctive or declaratory relief in court for violations and authorizes legislative officers to make requests on behalf of Members and staff. It emphasizes that its provisions should be broadly construed to favor the protection of covered information, while not impeding lawful press activities or access to public functions of Members of Congress.
Protecting Legislators and Survivors of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence from Doxing and Political Violence Act
USA119th CongressS-2850| Senate
| Updated: 9/17/2025
This bill, known as the "Protecting Legislators and Survivors of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence from Doxing and Political Violence Act," seeks to improve the safety and security of Members of Congress , their immediate family members , and congressional staff . It defines these individuals as "at-risk individuals" and identifies specific types of sensitive personal data, such as home addresses, phone numbers, and financial details, as "covered information" that requires protection. The legislation mandates that Government agencies must not publicly post or display covered information for at-risk individuals. Upon receiving a written request, agencies are required to remove such information from publicly available content within 72 hours, with limited exceptions for court orders or signed releases. For data brokers , the bill makes it unlawful to knowingly sell, license, trade, or purchase covered information of a "covered person." This protection is significantly expanded to include not only at-risk individuals but also elected officials of State, local, Tribal, or territorial governments, and individuals who certify as survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault . The Attorney General or State attorneys general can enforce these prohibitions. Other persons, businesses, or associations are also prohibited from publicly posting or displaying covered information of an at-risk individual on the internet if requested not to. They must remove the information within 72 hours and refrain from transferring it to others, though exceptions exist for news reporting, commentary on matters of public concern, or information voluntarily published by the individual. The bill allows at-risk individuals to seek injunctive or declaratory relief in court for violations and authorizes legislative officers to make requests on behalf of Members and staff. It emphasizes that its provisions should be broadly construed to favor the protection of covered information, while not impeding lawful press activities or access to public functions of Members of Congress.