James T. Woods Act

Bill Number: H.R. 6719
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2026-03-02: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 346.
Last Updated: 2026-06-04T02:20:57Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The James T. Woods Act aims to strengthen federal protections against online child exploitation and harm. It updates sentencing guidelines for child sexual abuse offenses, creates new crimes for coercing minors into self-harm or violence, and criminalizes threats to distribute intimate images (known as sextortion) to intimidate or extort victims, particularly children. The overall goal is to address evolving online threats using modern technology, deter offenders, and ensure appropriate punishments that reflect the seriousness of these crimes.

Key Provisions

The bill is divided into three titles, each targeting specific aspects of child protection:

Title I: Sentencing Accountability For Exploitation Act (SAFE Act)
Directs the United States Sentencing Commission (an independent agency that sets advisory guidelines for federal judges) to review and update federal sentencing guidelines for offenses involving child sexual abuse material (illegal images or videos of minors in sexual acts).
Requires guidelines to consider factors like the harm to victims, use of technology (e.g., internet or apps), offender patterns (e.g., repeated acts or group involvement), number of victims or images, distribution methods, and whether the crime led to severe outcomes like suicide.
Repeals outdated laws from 1992, 1995, and 2003 that previously limited sentencing flexibility, and removes a specific guideline provision to allow broader adjustments.
Ensures sentences promote deterrence, public safety, and fair punishment without duplicating penalties for the same conduct.

Title II: Ending Coercion of Children and Harm Online Act (ECCHO Act)
Adds a new federal crime (18 U.S.C. § 2261C) making it illegal to intentionally coerce a minor (under 18) — through threats, extortion, manipulation, or similar means — to:
Commit or attempt suicide, or kill/attempt to kill another person (punishable by any term of years or life in prison).
Kill or harm pets, service animals, or horses.
Inflict serious or substantial bodily injury (e.g., strangling, burning) on themselves or others (up to 30 years in prison).
Commit arson (up to 30 years).
Applies to actions using mail, internet, or interstate commerce; includes attempts or conspiracies.
Updates related laws to include this crime in reporting requirements for tech companies and definitions of child exploitation.

Title III: Stop Sextortion Act
Amends laws on child pornography (18 U.S.C. §§ 2252 and 2252A) to criminalize threatening to distribute intimate visual depictions of minors (or believed minors) in sexually explicit conduct, with intent to intimidate, coerce, extort, or cause emotional distress — even if no such images actually exist.
Increases penalties by 10 years for related offenses (e.g., under §§ 1466A and 2260A) when threats involve child sexual abuse material.
Treats these threats as felonies with prison terms similar to actual distribution (5–20 years minimum, depending on details).

General Elements: Includes severability clauses (if one part is struck down, the rest remains valid) and conforming changes to integrate the new provisions into existing federal codes.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Sentencing Updates: Replaces rigid, outdated directives with flexible guidelines that better account for digital-age offenses, such as live-streaming abuse or using multiple online platforms. Previously, some laws capped adjustments for technology or patterns of abuse.
New Crimes: Introduces coercion to self-harm or violence as a standalone federal offense, expanding beyond existing laws on extortion or child pornography. Sextortion threats are now explicitly criminalized, even without real images, closing a gap where offenders escaped charges if no material was produced.
Penalty Enhancements: Adds mandatory sentence increases (e.g., +10 years) for threat-based offenses and ties them to broader child exploitation statutes, making prosecutions easier across state lines.
Reporting and Definitions: Expands tech companies' obligations under laws like 18 U.S.C. § 2258A to report coercion alongside sexual exploitation, and broadens "child exploitation" to include these new harms.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: The Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI will gain tools for prosecuting online coercion and sextortion, potentially increasing caseloads but improving coordination with tech platforms for evidence. The Sentencing Commission must act within guidelines, leading to revised manuals that judges will use starting from the effective date.
On Citizens: Enhances protections for minors against online predators, reducing risks of emotional trauma, self-harm, or violence from digital threats. Victims may see stronger legal recourse, but it could raise awareness and encourage reporting. Offenders face harsher sentences, deterring such crimes.
On International Relations: Addresses globalized offenses (e.g., offenders paying overseas for abuse material), potentially aiding U.S. cooperation with foreign law enforcement under treaties, though it focuses on domestic jurisdiction over interstate/foreign commerce.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Minors and Families: Primary beneficiaries, protected from online coercion, sextortion, and exploitation; parents may advocate for or benefit from increased enforcement.
Law Enforcement and Prosecutors: DOJ, FBI, and state attorneys gain new charges and penalties to build cases, especially in cybercrimes.
Tech Companies and Platforms: Required to report more incidents (e.g., social media, apps), facing civil liabilities if they fail, which could prompt better moderation tools.
Offenders and Defense Attorneys: Face elevated risks of long sentences; challenges may arise in proving intent for threats or coercion.
Judges and Sentencing Bodies: Must apply updated guidelines, promoting consistency but allowing discretion based on case specifics.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Strengthens the federal framework under Title 18 (crimes and criminal procedure) by filling gaps in online harms, making interstate prosecutions more straightforward without relying solely on state laws. The bill emphasizes intent (e.g., for coercion or threats), reducing overreach risks.
Constitutional: Potential First Amendment concerns with threat provisions, but these are narrowly tailored to unprotected speech like extortion or incitement to harm (similar to existing laws upheld in cases like Virginia v. Black). No direct privacy invasions, as it targets criminal acts rather than content creation. Severability protects against partial invalidation.
Political: Reflects bipartisan consensus on child safety amid rising online threats (e.g., social media dangers), building on prior laws like the PROTECT Act. It signals a policy shift toward tech accountability without mandating platform changes, potentially influencing future cybercrime legislation. No major funding or oversight expansions, keeping implementation within existing agencies.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2], Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4]

Recent Actions

2026-03-02: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 346.
2026-03-02: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
2026-03-02: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
2026-02-26: Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
2026-01-13: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
2026-01-12: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2026-01-12: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H628)
2026-01-12: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H628)
2026-01-12: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6719.
2026-01-12: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H628-630)
2026-01-12: Ms. Lee (FL) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
2025-12-18: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Voice Vote.
2025-12-18: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
2025-12-15: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
2025-12-15: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Combating Online Predators Act — issued 2026-01-12 — PDF (6 pages)
Combating Online Predators Act of 2025 — issued 2025-12-15 — PDF (3 pages)
Combating Online Predators Act — issued 2026-01-13 — PDF (4 pages)
James T. Woods Act — issued 2026-03-02 — PDF (26 pages)