Will it soon be illegal to ghost hunt? Or just highly regulated?

Congress has proposed a bill that, if passed, could soon make it illegal to ghost hunt in the United States. Or will it end up just becoming a highly regulated activity?

We may soon find out. Amazingly, the proposed bill has bipartisan support from members of both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, which, if you follow politics, is pretty much unheard of these days.

Who’s trying to make ghost hunting illegal and why? Let’s take a closer look.

The Human Rights After Death Foundation’s Mission

We’re all going to die someday. We can’t control when or how, if it will be dignified or painless, or even private and quiet or headline-making. The Human Rights After Death Foundation’s (HRADF) mission is to ensure we all enjoy respect in the afterlife. Especially for those who did suffer unfortunate or sensational deaths.

It was actually Elisa Lam and shows like Ghost Adventures: Cecil Hotel and Netflix’s Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel that prompted the HRADF to lobby politicians to create some form of law that bans ghost hunting for entertainment.

Said HRADF spokesperson Poppy Cock, “The thing a lot of people who watch popular ghost hunting shows don’t realize is that often the deceased being ‘hunted’ still have family members alive. Shows like these reopen old wounds that force loved ones to grieve their loss all over again. It would be one thing if these alleged ghost hunters were getting answers to help solve crimes and bring murderers to justice in cold cases, but they’re not. It’s about sensationalizing and often fabricating evidence for ratings. We want that stopped.”

Making It Illegal to Ghost Hunt

The HRADF proposes at the very least that shows like Ghost Adventures, The Dead Files, Portals to Hell, and other popular paranormal Travel Channel shows submit unequivocal proof that any alleged “evidence” they capture is certifiable proof of the afterlife. They also want them to prove those disembodied voices are in fact any named ghosts they’re seeking.

If not, they must start paying all living family members a certain unspecified and as-yet-to-be-ascertained amount to speak with their deceased loved ones. Think of it like how stars are compensated for guest appearances.

Licensed, Bonded, Insured and Registered to Ghost Hunt

The HRADF also proposes anyone wanting to conduct paranormal investigations is licensed, bonded, insured, and registered. Ghost hunting event companies and paranormal entertainers will face the same requirements.

What will happen to anyone who charges for a ghost hunting event of any kind but doesn’t have the necessary documentation? It could become a misdemeanor offense accompanied by hefty fines of up to $1,000 per paying attendee. Ouch.

Death of Para TV Shows?

Since it’s neither economically feasible for most shows to pay who knows how many family members how much to “speak” with spirits, this could have huge consequences for paranormal entertainment. Not to mention, how will they provide “certifiable proof”? No wonder it’s got Discovery Inc. execs and producers fighting back.

Upton O.Goode, a producer for a forthcoming discovery+ show called Spirited Reunions, a show where family members of ghosts from popular haunted places are essentially used as trigger objects to spark activity, is obviously opposed to the bill.

“This would sink paranormal shows as we know them, effectively wiping out a whole sub-genre of entertainment. I appreciate what the HRADF wants to do, but in the end, are we really harming anyone?”

Good question. What do you think?

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Courtney Mroch

Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, as well as obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.

Speaking of healing, to learn how she channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.