SHIELD Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Van Drew
Introduced
Summary
Bans the harmful nonconsensual sharing of intimate images and makes certain distributions a new federal crime. The bill defines which images qualify, when sharing is illegal, and what penalties and exceptions apply.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Ban on sharing nude minor images
This bill would make it a federal crime to share a nude image of someone under 18 when done to abuse, humiliate, harass, or degrade the minor, or to arouse sexual desire. This would add protection for children and teens and help parents and guardians seek action.
Ban on sharing private adult images
This bill would make it a federal crime to share a private intimate image of an adult when the person reasonably expected privacy. It would apply when the image was not shown in public or for business, is not a matter of public concern, and the sharing is meant to cause harm or does cause harm. Saying yes to taking the image would not mean consent to share it. The bill would also define what counts as an intimate image and which services are covered, including phone, email, and online services.
Penalties, forfeiture, restitution, global reach
This bill would set criminal penalties: up to 3 years in prison for sharing a nude minor’s image and up to 2 years for sharing an adult’s intimate image. Threats to do these acts would also be crimes. Courts could seize the images, any profits, and tools used, and victims could seek restitution under existing federal law. The bill would allow U.S. cases even if conduct happened abroad when the offender or victim is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. It would not limit other federal child‑exploitation laws.
Protections and limits for online platforms
This bill would protect online and communications services from liability for images posted by other users. The protection would end if a provider intentionally asks for the images or mostly shares them itself. It would allow good‑faith reporting, law enforcement work, helping the victim, and legitimate medical, scientific, educational, or legal uses.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Van Drew
NJ • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4]
PA • D
Sponsored 2/11/2025
Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1]
SC • R
Sponsored 2/11/2025
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 2/11/2025
Rep. Moran, Nathaniel [R-TX-1]
TX • R
Sponsored 2/11/2025
Salazar
FL • R
Sponsored 2/11/2025
Nehls
TX • R
Sponsored 2/11/2025
Kiley (CA)
CA • I
Sponsored 2/11/2025
Del. Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI-At Large]
VI • D
Sponsored 2/11/2025
McBath
GA • D
Sponsored 2/11/2025
Johnson (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 2/11/2025
Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]
PA • D
Sponsored 2/11/2025
Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
VA • D
Sponsored 9/9/2025
Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]
NY • R
Sponsored 10/6/2025
Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]
MI • D
Sponsored 10/6/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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