H.R. 7136 – Special Operator Protection Act of 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 3, 2026 at 1:11 PM UTC

The Special Operator Protection Act of 2026 adds a new federal crime that makes it illegal to publicly share certain personal information about members of special operations forces, designated Department of Defense personnel, and federal law‑enforcement officers attached to them, as well as their immediate families. The law aims to protect these individuals from threats, intimidation, or violent attacks that could arise from such “doxing.” Violations can result in fines and imprisonment, with harsher penalties if death or serious injury occurs.

Key Provisions

Defines a “covered person” as special‑operations forces members, designated DoD employees or service members involved in sensitive activities, and federal law‑enforcement officers attached to them.
Specifies “restricted personal information” to include name, employment, photos, home address, contact details, Social Security number, date of birth, and biometric data.
Makes it a crime to knowingly publish this information about a covered person or their immediate family with intent to threaten, intimidate, or facilitate a violent crime.
Sets penalties of up to 5 years in prison (or fines) for a violation, and life imprisonment or any term if the act results in death or serious bodily injury.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

January 16, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 16, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

January 16, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 16, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 7136

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 16, 2026

Mr. Hudson (for himself and Mr. Harrigan) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit doxing of special operations personnel, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Special Operator Protection Act of 2026.

2.

Protection of special operations personnel

(a)

In general

Chapter 7 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

120.

Protection of special operations personnel

(a)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Covered person

The term covered person means—

(A)

a member of the special operations forces;

(B)

an employee of the Department of Defense or a member of the Armed Forces (as defined in section 101(a) of title 10) designated by the Secretary of Defense who conducts or participates in Department of Defense sensitive activities (as defined in section 130g of title 10); or

(C)

a Federal law enforcement officer assigned or attached to, or performing duty with a member of, the special operations forces.

(2)

Crime of violence

The term crime of violence has the meaning given the term in section 16.

(3)

Immediate family

The term immediate family has the meaning given the term in section 115(c).

(4)

Restricted personal information

The term restricted personal information means, with respect to an individual—

(A)

the individual’s name in connection with the individual's place of employment;

(B)

a visual depiction of the individual’s face or likeness in connection with the individual’s name and place of employment;

(C)

a visual depiction of the individual’s home in connection with the individual’s name and place of employment;

(D)

the date of birth, Social Security number, home address, home phone number, mobile phone number, personal email, or home fax number of, and identifiable to, the individual; or

(E)

the individual's biometric data.

(b)

Offense

It shall be unlawful to knowingly make restricted personal information about a covered person, or a member of the immediate family of that covered person, publicly available—

(1)

with the intent to threaten, intimidate, or incite the commission of a crime of violence against the covered person or a member of the immediate family of the covered person; or

(2)

with the intent and knowledge that the restricted personal information will be used to threaten, intimidate, or facilitate the commission of a crime of violence against that covered person or a member of the immediate family of the covered person.

(c)

Penalties

Any person who violates subsection (b)—

(1)

shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both; or

(2)

if death or serious bodily injury results from the violation, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both.

.

(b)

Technical and conforming amendment

The table of sections for chapter 7 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

120. Protection of special operations personnel.

.