James T. Woods Act
James T. Woods Act
Plain Language Summary
# James T. Woods Act (HR 6719) - Plain Language Summary **What the Bill Does** This bill creates new federal crimes targeting "sextortion"—a form of online extortion where predators threaten to share sexually explicit images of minors (or people they believe are minors) to force victims into creating or sending explicit material. The bill makes it illegal to engage in sextortion, as well as to attempt or plan such crimes. Currently, federal law doesn't specifically address this tactic, so this bill fills that gap by establishing dedicated criminal offenses. **Who It Affects** The bill primarily aims to protect minors from online sexual exploitation. It also affects law enforcement, who would gain clearer legal tools to investigate and prosecute sextortion cases.
Anyone who engages in this form of extortion would face federal criminal penalties if the bill becomes law. **Current Status** The bill has passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is named after James T. Woods, likely a victim or related to a case involving this crime. It now awaits consideration in the Senate.
CRS Official Summary
Combating Online Predators Act of 2025 or the COP Act of 2025This bill establishes new federal criminal offenses for threatening to distribute a visual depiction of a minor (or person believed to be a minor) engaging in sexually explicit conduct with the intent that the minor (or person believed to be a minor) create or transmit a visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct. (This practice is commonly referred to as sextortion.) The bill also prohibits attempts and conspiracies to commit the offenses.
Latest Action
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 346.