Bill · S. 516· Senate(119-S-516)
SHIELD Act of 2023
- Introduced
- 2/11/2025
- Last activity
- 2/11/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Amy Klobuchar
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The SHIELD Act of 2025 makes it unlawful to knowingly distribute private intimate visual depictions through interstate or foreign commerce. This includes protecting individuals who have a reasonable expectation of privacy and ensuring that consent to create an image does not automatically grant consent to distribute it. The bill specifically targets the distribution of depictions of nude minors with the intent to abuse, humiliate, or harass. Violators face fines, imprisonment, and the forfeiture of any property or materials used or gained from the crime. The act also establishes federal jurisdiction that extends even if the offense occurs outside the United States, provided the individuals involved are citizens or residents.
Yes· 3 of 8
Would children be better off under this?+8
The bill provides specific criminal penalties for the distribution of nude visual depictions of minors.
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?+7
The bill specifically protects the reasonable expectation of privacy regarding intimate visual depictions.
Would women be better off under this?+5
The bill protects against image-based abuse which is frequently used as a tool for harassment against women.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Privacy: The bill prohibits the distribution of intimate images obtained under circumstances where the individual had a reasonable expectation of privacy (Section 2(b)(1)(A)).
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Protection Against Harassment and Harm: It makes it illegal to distribute intimate images if the intent is to cause harm or if the distribution results in psychological, financial, or reputational harm (Section 2(b)(1)(D)).
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Safety for Minors: The law specifically prohibits the distribution of visual depictions of nude minors when there is intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, degrade, or arouse sexual desire (Section 2(b)(2)).
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Clarification of Consent: The bill protects individuals by stating that consenting to the creation of an intimate image does not mean they consented to its distribution (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Accountability Through Penalties: Violators can face prison time, fines, and the forfeiture of any property or proceeds derived from the illegal distribution (Section 2(c)(1) and 2(c)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Criminal Penalties for Specific Distributions: Individuals may face up to two years in prison for distributing intimate visual depictions of adults under the new guidelines (Section 2(c)(1)(B)).
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Increased Penalties for Minors: Those distributing visual depictions of nude minors could face up to three years in prison (Section 2(c)(1)(A)).
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Liability for Service Providers: Communications service providers could be held liable if they intentionally solicit or knowingly and predominantly distribute prohibited content (Section 2(d)(2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Children+8Good For Women+5Good For Young Adults+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Privacy Rights+7
- Education And Technology
- Improves Data Privacy+5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Gender Equality+2Improves Policing Reform+1
- 2/11/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
John CornynRepublican · Texas