SHIELD Act of 2025
SHIELD Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# SHIELD Act of 2025 Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** The SHIELD Act would create new federal crimes targeting the distribution of intimate sexual images without consent. The bill makes it illegal to mail, distribute, or threaten to distribute explicit photos or videos of adults engaged in sexual conduct without their permission. Violations would result in fines, up to two years in prison, mandatory restitution to victims, and seizure of materials and property used in the offense. **Who It Affects:** This bill primarily targets people who share intimate images without consent (sometimes called "revenge porn"), though it also addresses threats to distribute such content.
It would affect victims by providing federal legal recourse, perpetrators by creating criminal penalties, and potentially social media platforms and internet service providers through enforcement mechanisms. **Key Provisions:** For the offense to be prosecuted, the distribution must be nonconsensual, not a matter of public concern, and intended to cause harm (or actually cause harm). The bill includes provisions for criminal penalties and restitution to victims, as well as forfeiture of related property and proceeds. **Current Status:** As of now, the bill is in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. It was introduced in the 119th Congress by Representative Jefferson Van Drew (R-NJ).
CRS Official Summary
Stopping Harmful Image Exploitation and Limiting Distribution Act of 2025 or the SHIELD Act of 2025This bill establishes new federal criminal offenses related to the distribution of sexual exploitative content. First, the bill makes it a crime to knowingly mail or distribute (or intentionally threaten to mail or distribute) an intimate visual depiction of a recognizable adult engaged in sexual conduct. To constitute a crime, certain elements must be met, including that the distribution must be nonconsensual; the depiction is not a matter of public concern; and the distribution must be intended to cause harm or cause harm. A violator is subject to a fine, a prison term of up to two years, or both; mandatory restitution; and the forfeiture of material involved in the offense, property constituting or derived from the proceeds from the offense, and property used to commit or facilitate the offense.Second, the bill makes it a crime to knowingly mail or distribute (or intentionally threaten to mail or distribute) a visual depiction of a nude minor with intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, or degrade the minor, or to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person. A violator is subject to a fine, a prison term of up to three years, or both; mandatory restitution; and the forfeiture of material involved in the offense, property constituting or derived from the proceeds from the offense, and property used to commit or facilitate the offense.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.