Stop Electronic Stalking Act of 2025
Stop Electronic Stalking Act of 2025 would amend the federal stalking statute (18 U.S.C. 2261A) to explicitly criminalize stalking when an unauthorized geotracking device is used. The bill inserts language making it illegal to “use an unauthorized geotracking device” to track or determine the position and movement of another person, in addition to existing elements of the stalking statute. It defines geotracking device as any electronic or mechanical device that allows remote determination or tracking of a person’s location or movement, and defines “unauthorized” as lacking consent or revocation of consent by the person being tracked. The effect is to close a potential legal gap where a stalker could use GPS trackers or similar devices to monitor someone without consent, and to allow federal prosecution when interstate activities or mail are involved, consistent with the current stalking framework. The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress by Representatives Sykes and Carey.
Key Points
- 1The statute adds “uses an unauthorized geotracking device” to the stalking penalty in 18 U.S.C. 2261A.
- 2A “geotracking device” is defined as any electronic or mechanical device that remotely determines or tracks another person’s position and movement.
- 3“Unauthorized” means the target has not consented to use of the device or has revoked consent.
- 4The new provision is integrated into the existing stalking framework (which can involve interstate commerce or use of mail), expanding the means by which stalking can be prosecuted.
- 5The bill does not specify new penalties beyond those already in 18 U.S.C. 2261A; it relies on the existing penalties for stalking under that statute.