Gov. Rhoden Begins Implementation of New Law Enforcement Protection Bill

Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden has begun implementing HB 1084, legislation passed this session to prevent the online doxxing of law enforcement officers. The Governor and Attorney General Marty Jackley have sent letters to agencies statewide outlining how the new protections will be implemented.

In the joint letter, Rhoden and Jackley noted that doxxing — the malicious publication of personal information such as home addresses or phone numbers — has increasingly become a threat to officers across the country.

“Across this country, we have seen officers targeted and threatened in their homes, and doxxing of our uniformed men and women has become an occupational hazard,” they wrote. “As Governor and Attorney General, with the support of public safety entities including the Division of Criminal Investigation, we passed a law to help protect your officers’ personal information online.”

HB 1084 is one of two measures advanced this session to address the issue. The Governor also worked with law enforcement partners and Rep. Matt Roby on HB 1298, which formally establishes the crime of doxxing to protect both officers and judges. That law takes effect July 1.

Rhoden said the legislation is intended to prevent bad actors from using personal information to intimidate or endanger public‑safety officials.

“Doxxing undermines the public safety work of law enforcement officers and judges and puts their lives at risk,” Rhoden said. “No one should feel unsafe in their own home. These bills put a stop to that by preventing bad actors from targeting the dedicated men and women who protect us every day.”

Both bills were previewed in the Governor’s State of the State Address earlier this year.