S. 3704In committeeCrime & justice
Federal bill makes sextortion threats against minors a standalone crime
Data as of July 11, 2026
S 3704 makes it a federal crime to threaten a minor with releasing sexual images to pressure them into producing more.50-second read · 4 questions answered below
Decoded
What does this do?
S 3704 makes it a federal crime to threaten a minor with the distribution of child sexual abuse material, even if no images are actually shared. The bill targets sextortion, a tactic where predators threaten to release sexual images of a child unless that child produces and sends more sexual content. It covers threats made against real minors and against people the offender believes are minors.
Who does it affect?
The bill most directly affects online predators who use these threats to coerce children, making that behavior a federal offense. It also affects targeted minors, law enforcement, and parents or guardians of children who use the internet.
Why does it matter?
Federal law already criminalized producing, distributing, and possessing child sexual abuse material, but did not explicitly cover the act of threatening to distribute it as a coercive tool. This bill closes that gap, giving law enforcement a clearer legal basis to prosecute this specific behavior.
Where does it stand?
- Introduced
- Senate committee — You are here
- Senate vote
- House
- President's desk
Right now: a Senate committee is reviewing it. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the President.
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Official title
COP Act
- Introduced:
- January 27, 2026
- Latest action:
- January 27, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
Three steps: where you stand, your script, the call.