After successfully protecting law enforcement officers from doxing last session, Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, has filed legislation to extend those same protections to retired law enforcement members. Senate Bill 1522 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously Tuesday.

“It’s unimaginable that anyone would try to harm our brave law enforcement officers by posting their addresses or other personal information online, but it has happened at an alarming rate in the last few years. This is why I joined Rep. Justin Humphrey last session in authoring House Bill 1643,” Bullard said. “That bill passed overwhelmingly; however, we need to ensure our retired law enforcement officers have the same protections.”

SB 1522 would add retired peace officers to the list of entities protected from having their personally identifiable information posted online by individuals with the intent to threaten, intimidate, or harass them.

“Given some of their long careers, these retired peace officers may have many criminals who they’ve brought to justice wanting revenge,” Bullard said. “It can be an extremely scary and dangerous situation for these men and women who dedicated their careers to upholding justice and protecting their communities..”

Under the bill, such crimes would be a misdemeanor punishable with up to six months in the county jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. Punishment for second and subsequent offenses would include up to one year in the county jail, a fine not to exceed $2,000, or both. The measure would also allow retired peace officers to request the county assessor to not publicize their personal information online.