Combating Online Predators Act
Congress Targets Online “Sextortion” by Making Threats to Share Minor Sexual Images a Federal Crime
James T. Woods Act
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- Creates a new federal crime for threatening to share sexual images of a minor to pressure them into making or sending more images.
- Covers threats sent online or across state or national lines, like messages, emails, or posts that travel through the internet.
- Applies even if the target is someone the offender believes is a minor, aiming to stop “sextortion” attempts early.
- Adds these threat-based crimes into existing federal child sexual exploitation laws, which can strengthen prosecution tools.
- Could increase law enforcement investigations and criminal penalties for people who use threats to exploit kids online.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
How this policy affects specific groups of people
Milestones
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 346.
The bill is now on the schedule for the full chamber to consider. It's in line for debate and a vote.
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
3 articles
U.S. House Unanimously Passes Combating Online Predators Act Introduced by Rep. Laurel Lee
AI summary of a press release stating the House unanimously passed H.R. 6719, the Combating Online Predators Act, to criminalize threats to distribute child sexual abuse material used in sextortion schemes.
Fedorchak votes to protect kids online, hold online predators accountable
Press release summarizing passage of multiple child-exploitation bills; specifically notes H.R. 6719 criminalizes threats to distribute sexually explicit images of minors used to coerce more material (sextortion).
Florida Congresswoman Laurel Lee’s Combating Online Predators Act Passes House Judiciary Committee
Covers House Judiciary Committee action on Lee’s bill, describing how it targets sextortion by criminalizing threats to distribute sexual images of minors to coerce additional content.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
James T. Woods Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(2)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.