SHIELD Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5215
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-08: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2025-09-12T04:38:25Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation directs the Secretary of Defense to create a one-year pilot program that develops training for members of the Armed Forces on how to interact with digital information safely and responsibly. The bill is titled the Strategic Homeland Information Education and Learning Defense Act of 2025 (SHIELD Act of 2025).
Key Provisions
- The Secretary must launch the pilot program within 120 days of enactment.
- The curriculum must cover identification of fact-based versus opinion-based journalism, disinformation, conspiracy theories, and hate-based ideologies (including antisemitism and white supremacy); assessment of source credibility; effects of sharing personal or biased information online; protection of personal data; recognition of information-based threats to individuals or the Department of Defense; and methods to reduce insider threats from conspiracy theories and hate-based ideologies.
- Participants must be a geographically and demographically diverse group of service members.
- Training must be delivered in equal amounts through in-person, virtual, and hybrid formats.
- The Secretary may consult with organizations experienced in digital information literacy.
- After the program ends, participants and instructors must be surveyed on improvements, engagement, and long-term retention of material.
- A report must be submitted to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees within 180 days of termination, comparing delivery methods, recommending frequency of any future permanent training, and suggesting how often the curriculum should be updated.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill introduces a new pilot program under the authority of the Secretary of Defense. It does not amend or repeal any existing statutes.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: The Department of Defense would design, run, and evaluate the training, with possible future requirements for ongoing programs.
- Citizens: Service members would receive instruction on digital information handling, which could affect their personal and professional online behavior.
- International relations: No direct effects are specified in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The Department of Defense and the Armed Forces (as the primary implementers and participants).
- Congressional committees on armed services (as recipients of the required report).
- External organizations that may be consulted for curriculum development.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The legislation focuses solely on internal military training and does not raise explicit constitutional issues in the text. It addresses topics such as disinformation and hate-based ideologies within a defense context, with recommendations for ongoing training left to future congressional or departmental decisions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11]
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-08: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 2025-09-08: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-08: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- The Strategic Homeland Information Education and Learning Defense Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-08 — PDF (6 pages)