Legis Daily

Sue VOYEURS Act

USA119th CongressHR-1204| House 
| Updated: 2/11/2025
Nancy Mace

Nancy Mace

Republican Representative

South Carolina

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, known as the "Sue VOYEURS Act," establishes a new federal civil right of action for individuals who are victims of video voyeurism. It allows a person whose intimate visual depiction is captured without their consent , and where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy , to sue the responsible party in federal court. To bring a claim, the capturer must have known or recklessly disregarded the individual's lack of consent, and the conduct must involve interstate or foreign commerce. Victims can recover either actual damages or liquidated damages of $150,000 for each intimate visual depiction, along with attorney's fees and litigation costs. Courts may also issue equitable relief , such as injunctions, to prevent the display or disclosure of the images, and can allow plaintiffs to use a pseudonym to maintain anonymity. The legislation defines an "intimate visual depiction" as a visual image showing a naked or undergarment-clad private area, bodily sexual fluids, or sexually explicit conduct, including certain depictions made in public if consent was absent. A "reasonable expectation of privacy" exists when a person believes they can disrobe privately or that a private area would not be publicly visible. The bill explicitly exempts actions by law enforcement officers or agencies conducting surveillance under a lawfully issued warrant, and allows legal guardians or representatives to act on behalf of minors or incapacitated individuals.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-8027
Sue VOYEURS Act
Feb 11, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 11, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-8027
    Sue VOYEURS Act


  • February 11, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 11, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Law

Assault and harassment offensesCivil actions and liabilityDigital mediaPhotography and imagingSex offenses

Sue VOYEURS Act

USA119th CongressHR-1204| House 
| Updated: 2/11/2025
This bill, known as the "Sue VOYEURS Act," establishes a new federal civil right of action for individuals who are victims of video voyeurism. It allows a person whose intimate visual depiction is captured without their consent , and where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy , to sue the responsible party in federal court. To bring a claim, the capturer must have known or recklessly disregarded the individual's lack of consent, and the conduct must involve interstate or foreign commerce. Victims can recover either actual damages or liquidated damages of $150,000 for each intimate visual depiction, along with attorney's fees and litigation costs. Courts may also issue equitable relief , such as injunctions, to prevent the display or disclosure of the images, and can allow plaintiffs to use a pseudonym to maintain anonymity. The legislation defines an "intimate visual depiction" as a visual image showing a naked or undergarment-clad private area, bodily sexual fluids, or sexually explicit conduct, including certain depictions made in public if consent was absent. A "reasonable expectation of privacy" exists when a person believes they can disrobe privately or that a private area would not be publicly visible. The bill explicitly exempts actions by law enforcement officers or agencies conducting surveillance under a lawfully issued warrant, and allows legal guardians or representatives to act on behalf of minors or incapacitated individuals.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-8027
Sue VOYEURS Act
Feb 11, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 11, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-8027
    Sue VOYEURS Act


  • February 11, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 11, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Nancy Mace

Nancy Mace

Republican Representative

South Carolina

Judiciary Committee

Law

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Assault and harassment offensesCivil actions and liabilityDigital mediaPhotography and imagingSex offenses