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S 516 119th Congress Senate Crime and Law Enforcement Civil actions and liability Crimes against children Criminal procedure and sentencing Domestic violence and child abuse Internet, web applications, social media Pornography Sex offenses Telephone and wireless communication

SHIELD Act of 2023

Introduced: February 11, 2025 Introduced by: Klobuchar, Amy Democratic · Minnesota See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 11, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Feb 11, 2025
Introduced in Senate
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Stopping Harmful Image Exploitation and Limiting Distribution Act of 2025 or the SHIELD Act of 2023 [sic]

This 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.

What's happening now February 11, 2025

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 1218 Related bill SHIELD Act of 2025
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Lobbying activity 17

Registered lobbyists who named this bill in their disclosure filings. Source: federal Lobbying Disclosure Act filings.

See all 17 filings →
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Republican 1
R
Cornyn, John
Texas · Feb 11, 2025
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 516: SHIELD Act of 2023. 119th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/119-S-516/
MLA
"S. 516: SHIELD Act of 2023." 119th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/119-S-516/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 516, 119th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/119-S-516/.
Markdown link
[S. 516: SHIELD Act of 2023](https://openamerica.io/bill/119-S-516/)
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