James Walkinshaw (D-VA)
Swatting Registry Best Practices Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Swatting Registry Best Practices Act directs the Attorney General to create guidance for local governments on establishing voluntary swatting registries. Within one year, the Attorney General must consult with various experts, including law enforcement and crime victims, to develop these best practices. The guidance will cover program design, data security, and how to integrate registry info into emergency responses. It aims to provide protocols for tactical adjustments to reduce risks during potential hoax calls. This act does not mandate the creation of a federal registry or require local governments to start their own programs.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +5
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill mandates that guidance includes ways to ensure registry programs are accessible to persons with disabilities.
- Scored +5
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?
The bill requires guidance to ensure registry programs are accessible to persons with disabilities.
- Scored +5
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
The bill directs the development of guidance on data minimization, encryption, and access controls to protect personal information.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Reduced Risk of Harm during Emergencies: The guidance includes best practices for "tactical response adjustments" such as using lower-escalation approaches like staged responses or asking occupants to meet officers outside when safe (Section 2(c)(I)). This could help reduce unnecessary risk during potential swatting incidents (Section 2(c)(D)(ii)).
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Protection for High-Risk Individuals: The bill suggests designing registries that identify categories of higher-risk registrants, including those facing an elevated risk of swatting or targeting harassment (Section 2(c)(A)(ii)).
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Ensuring Equitable Access: The guidance aims to ensure that registry programs are accessible to underserved groups, including persons with disabilities and those with limited English proficiency (Section 2(c)(A)(iv)).
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Data Security and Privacy Protections: The act requires guidance on best practices to ensure participation is voluntary through informed consent, uses encryption for records, and implements role-based access controls to prevent misuse (Section 2(c)(E)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Risk of Data Misuse: There is a potential for registry information to be misused for discriminatory or retaliatory purposes, which the guidance is tasked with preventing (Section 2(c)(E)(v)).
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Reliance on Unverified Data: There is a concern regarding the "overreliance on unverified registry data," which the guidance must address through officer training (Section 2(c)(D)(iii)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill mandates that guidance includes ways to ensure registry programs are accessible to persons with disabilities. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill includes provisions to ensure registry programs are accessible to communities with limited English proficiency. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill includes provisions to ensure registry programs are accessible to underserved groups.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill requires guidance to ensure registry programs are accessible to persons with disabilities. Does this change how police departments operate? — The bill provides best practices for tactical response adjustments and lower-escalation approaches during emergency calls.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill directs the development of guidance on data minimization, encryption, and access controls to protect personal information.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill mandates guidance on encryption and cybersecurity safeguards for sensitive public safety databases.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires that the Attorney General make the developed guidance publicly available on the Department of Justice website.
- 7/22/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Laurel LeeRepublican · Florida