The New Jersey Assembly Judiciary Committee on Thursday passed a package of bills introduced by frum Assemblyman Gary Schaer aimed at addressing rising hate crimes and online threats, including doxxing and swatting.
The proposed legislation seeks to create criminal charges for doxxing—the release of someone’s personal information to incite harassment—and increase penalties for false 911 calls targeting houses of worship. Such calls, known as swatting, are often designed to send heavily armed police units to the victim’s location, increasing the potential for harm.
One bill would add harsher penalties for swatting targeting houses of worship, increasing prison sentences to 5-10 years, compared to the 1-5 years for other false public alarms.
Another bill would create New Jersey’s first criminal statute for doxxing, allowing jail terms of up to 18 months for those who share personal information intending to harm or stalk others.
Schaer’s third proposal would formally adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism into state law, highlighting a surge in antisemitic hate crimes. Reports of antisemitic incidents accounted for 21% of all bias reports to New Jersey police in 2023, amid a 41% overall increase in hate crimes.
“In today’s digital age, personal information is more easily found but it should never be weaponized. This bill aims to protect people’s privacy and sends a message that there are consequences for those who maliciously release information with the intent to harm another individual.
“Whether it’s an individual speaking out on a controversial issue, a whistleblower reporting misconduct, or a family simply trying to practice its religion, everyone deserves to be free from the threat of retribution or harassment.
“We cannot stand idly by as bad actors exploit digital tools to undermine safety and stifle voices. This bill reflects our commitment in the Legislature to keeping up with the challenges of our time, and the importance of having a safe online environment that preserves the freedoms that make our society thrive, not abandon them.
“I wholeheartedly applaud the advancement of A3561 and the impact it will have to protect individuals and families across the state.”