Ohio Bill Would Make Officer Doxxing a Felony
Ohio State Rep. Gayle Manning's House Bill 1033 would criminalize publishing a peace officer's personal information with intent to intimidate or harm.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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Ohio State Rep. Gayle Manning introduced House Bill 1033, which would make publishing a peace officer's home address, birth date, or phone number online with intent to intimidate, threaten, or physically harm a felony. The bill followed online backlash against a Lorain police officer who was found to have done nothing wrong.
Why it matters
The Lorain Police Department approached Manning after an officer who was cleared still became a target of nationwide online harassment. The bill applies only when disclosure is done with intent to intimidate, threaten, or cause physical harm, and it is bipartisan.
House Bill 1033 would classify the offense as a third-degree felony carrying a fine of up to $10,000, probation, or prison time. The bill remains in its introduced stage, and Manning has said she will reintroduce it next session if needed.
The players
Gayle Manning
Ohio State Representative who sponsored House Bill 1033 after the Lorain Police Department approached her about the issue.
Lorain Police Department
Local Ohio police agency that raised the concern about online targeting of its officers after a cleared officer faced nationwide backlash.
The details
House Bill 1033 covers a peace officer's home address, birth date, and phone number. A similar federal bill introduced in Congress last September has stalled in committee.
Timeline
Last September: a similar federal bill was introduced in Congress.
Current legislative session: limited time remains to pass the Ohio bill this year.
Next session: Manning plans to reintroduce the bill if needed.
Legal Context
Ohio's House Bill 1033 parallels a federal bill introduced in Congress last September, which has stalled in committee. The state proposal would make doxxing of peace officers a third-degree felony while the federal effort has not advanced.
If passed, the bill would make publishing an officer's home address or phone number with intent to harm a felony, affecting how Ohio residents share information about officers online. Officers and their families would gain a specific legal protection against targeted online intimidation.
The takeaway
Ohio's proposal shows how a single online pile-on can prompt lawmakers to act even when the officer involved was cleared. Readers following the bill should watch whether it advances before the session ends or returns next year.
What happens next
Manning has said she will reintroduce House Bill 1033 next session if it does not pass this year.
Further reading
For more on policing policy, explore Law Enforcement coverage across the state.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Police1.
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