Stop Sextortion Act
Stop Sextortion Act
Plain Language Summary
# Stop Sextortion Act Summary **What the Bill Does** The Stop Sextortion Act would create new federal crimes specifically targeting "sextortion"—a form of online blackmail where criminals threaten to share sexually explicit images or videos of minors unless victims pay money or comply with demands. The bill also increases prison sentences for existing crimes involving child sexual abuse material when used for intimidation, coercion, extortion, or causing emotional distress. **Who It Affects** This bill primarily protects minors who are victims of sextortion schemes. It would also affect criminals engaged in these practices by establishing stricter federal penalties, including increased maximum prison sentences.
Law enforcement agencies would have clearer tools to prosecute these crimes at the federal level. **Current Status** As of now, the bill is in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full Senate. It was introduced by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) in the 119th Congress. The bill has not advanced beyond the committee stage.
CRS Official Summary
Stop Sextortion ActThis bill criminalizes threats to distribute child sexual abuse material to intimidate, coerce, extort, or cause substantial emotional distress. This practice is commonly referred to as sextortion. The bill also increases criminal penalties for related offenses that involve the use of child sexual abuse material to intimidate, coerce, extort, or cause substantial emotional distress.Specifically, the bill establishes new federal criminal offenses for threatening to distribute child pornography or a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct with intent to intimidate, coerce, extort, or cause substantial emotional distress. An offense, or an attempt or conspiracy to commit the offense, is subject to criminal penalties.Additionally, the bill increases the maximum prison term for various offenses involving the sexual exploitation of children if those offenses involve the use of child pornography or a visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct with intent to intimidate, coerce, extort, or cause substantial emotional distress.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.