Legis Daily

SHIELD Act of 2023

USA119th CongressS-516| Senate 
| Updated: 2/11/2025
Amy Klobuchar

Amy Klobuchar

Democratic Senator

Minnesota

Cosponsors (1)
John Cornyn (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, titled the "Stopping Harmful Image Exploitation and Limiting Distribution Act of 2025" or the "SHIELD Act of 2023," creates new federal offenses related to the non-consensual distribution of intimate visual depictions. It makes it unlawful to knowingly distribute an intimate visual depiction of an adult if it was obtained with a reasonable expectation of privacy, was not voluntarily exposed in public, is not a matter of public concern, and is intended to cause or causes harm. Crucially, consent to the creation of such a depiction does not imply consent to its distribution. The legislation also prohibits the knowing distribution of a visual depiction of a nude minor with the intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, degrade, or sexually gratify. Violations involving adult intimate depictions carry penalties of up to two years imprisonment, while those involving nude minors can result in up to three years. The bill includes provisions for forfeiture of materials and property derived from such violations, as well as restitution for victims. Exceptions are made for legitimate law enforcement activities, good faith reporting, assisting the depicted individual, medical, scientific, or educational purposes, and legal proceedings. Threats to commit these offenses are also punishable, and the law includes extraterritorial jurisdiction if the defendant or depicted individual is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-2669
SHIELD Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-2111
SHIELD Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-3777
SHIELD Act of 2022

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-2331
SHIELD Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-5166
SHIELD Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-412
SHIELD Act of 2023
Feb 11, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-1218
Introduced in House
Feb 11, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 11, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-2669
    SHIELD Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-2111
    SHIELD Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-3777
    SHIELD Act of 2022


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-2331
    SHIELD Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-5166
    SHIELD Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-412
    SHIELD Act of 2023


  • February 11, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-1218
    Introduced in House


  • February 11, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 11, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 119-1218: SHIELD Act of 2025
Civil actions and liabilityCrimes against childrenCriminal procedure and sentencingDomestic violence and child abuseInternet, web applications, social mediaPornographySex offensesTelephone and wireless communication

SHIELD Act of 2023

USA119th CongressS-516| Senate 
| Updated: 2/11/2025
This bill, titled the "Stopping Harmful Image Exploitation and Limiting Distribution Act of 2025" or the "SHIELD Act of 2023," creates new federal offenses related to the non-consensual distribution of intimate visual depictions. It makes it unlawful to knowingly distribute an intimate visual depiction of an adult if it was obtained with a reasonable expectation of privacy, was not voluntarily exposed in public, is not a matter of public concern, and is intended to cause or causes harm. Crucially, consent to the creation of such a depiction does not imply consent to its distribution. The legislation also prohibits the knowing distribution of a visual depiction of a nude minor with the intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, degrade, or sexually gratify. Violations involving adult intimate depictions carry penalties of up to two years imprisonment, while those involving nude minors can result in up to three years. The bill includes provisions for forfeiture of materials and property derived from such violations, as well as restitution for victims. Exceptions are made for legitimate law enforcement activities, good faith reporting, assisting the depicted individual, medical, scientific, or educational purposes, and legal proceedings. Threats to commit these offenses are also punishable, and the law includes extraterritorial jurisdiction if the defendant or depicted individual is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-2669
SHIELD Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-2111
SHIELD Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-3777
SHIELD Act of 2022

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-2331
SHIELD Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-5166
SHIELD Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-412
SHIELD Act of 2023
Feb 11, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-1218
Introduced in House
Feb 11, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 11, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-2669
    SHIELD Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-2111
    SHIELD Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-3777
    SHIELD Act of 2022


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-2331
    SHIELD Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-5166
    SHIELD Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-412
    SHIELD Act of 2023


  • February 11, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-1218
    Introduced in House


  • February 11, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 11, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Amy Klobuchar

Amy Klobuchar

Democratic Senator

Minnesota

Cosponsors (1)
John Cornyn (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 119-1218: SHIELD Act of 2025
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Civil actions and liabilityCrimes against childrenCriminal procedure and sentencingDomestic violence and child abuseInternet, web applications, social mediaPornographySex offensesTelephone and wireless communication