ECCHO Act

Key Points

• This bill creates a new federal crime for anyone who uses threats, fraud, or manipulation to force a child under 18 to harm themselves or others. It specifically targets people who use the internet or mail to trick or scare kids into dangerous behavior.
• The law covers several serious actions, including forcing a child to attempt suicide, commit murder, or start fires. It also makes it illegal to coerce a child into 'swatting'—making fake police reports to send emergency teams to someone's home—or 'doxxing' someone by posting their private information online.
• The penalties for these crimes are very high. If someone forces a child to attempt suicide or kill another person, they could face life in prison. For other harmful acts, like forcing a child to hurt an animal or commit arson, the person could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison.
• This policy is designed to protect children from online predators who use fear or embarrassment to make them do things they wouldn't otherwise do. It treats these actions as a form of child exploitation, giving federal investigators more tools to catch and prosecute those responsible.