Justice for Allie Act

New federal protection for vulnerable adults

If enacted, the bill would create a new federal crime called sexual exploitation of protected adults. It would be illegal to use the mail or interstate or foreign commerce to knowingly persuade, induce, entice, or coerce a protected adult to send or otherwise transmit an intimate visual depiction with intent to harm. A protected adult would be an adult (age 18 or older) who cannot protect themselves from abuse, neglect, or exploitation because of listed conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, intellectual developmental disorder or intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, major neurocognitive disorder, dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, or schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder. Definitions for those conditions would follow the most recent DSM or the ICD edition adopted by HHS as of the offense date. "Harm" would include physical, psychological, financial, or reputational harm. An intimate visual depiction would be defined by reference to 15 U.S.C. 6851. Penalties would be fines under title 18 and/or imprisonment up to 1 year for a first offense, and fines and/or imprisonment up to 2 years for a second or later offense. The provision would take effect upon enactment.