Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Strengthening Transparency and Obligations to Protect Children Suffering from Abuse and Mistreatment Act of 2024

or the

STOP CSAM Act of 2024

Protecting child victims and witnesses in Federal court

(a)

In general

Section 3509 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—(1)in subsection (a)—(A)in paragraph (2)(A), by striking or exploitation and inserting exploitation, or kidnapping, including international parental kidnapping;(B)in paragraph (3), by striking physical or mental injury and inserting physical injury, psychological abuse;(C)by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the following:

(5)the term psychological abuse includes—(A)a pattern of acts, threats of acts, or coercive tactics intended to degrade, humiliate, intimidate, or terrorize a child; and(B)the infliction of trauma on a child through—(i)isolation;(ii)the withholding of food or other necessities in order to control behavior;(iii)physical restraint; or(iv)the confinement of the child without the child's consent and in degrading conditions;

;

(D)in paragraph (6), by striking child prostitution and inserting child sex trafficking;(E)by striking paragraph (7) and inserting the following:

(7)the term multidisciplinary child abuse team means a professional unit of individuals working together to investigate child abuse and provide assistance and support to a victim of child abuse, composed of representatives from—(A)health, social service, and legal service agencies that represent the child;(B)law enforcement agencies and prosecutorial offices; and(C)children's advocacy centers;

;

(F)in paragraph (9)(D)—(i)by striking genitals and inserting anus, genitals,; and(ii)by striking or animal;(G)in paragraph (11), by striking and at the end;(H)in paragraph (12)—(i)by striking the term child abuse does not and inserting the terms physical injury and psychological abuse do not; and (ii)by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and(I)by adding at the end the following:

(13)the term covered person means a person of any age who—(A)is or is alleged to be—(i)a victim of a crime of physical abuse, sexual abuse, exploitation, or kidnapping, including international parental kidnapping; or(ii)a witness to a crime committed against another person; and(B)was under the age of 18 when the crime described in subparagraph (A) was committed;(14)the term protected information, with respect to a covered person, includes—(A)personally identifiable information of the covered person, including—(i)the name of the covered person;(ii)an address;(iii)a phone number;(iv)a user name or identifying information for an online, social media, or email account; and(v)any information that can be used to distinguish or trace the identity of the covered person, either alone or when combined with other information that is linked or linkable to the covered person;(B)medical, dental, behavioral, psychiatric, or psychological information of the covered person;(C)educational or juvenile justice records of the covered person; and(D)any other information concerning the covered person that is deemed protected information by order of the court under subsection (d)(5); and(15)the term child pornography has the meaning given the term in section 2256(8).

;

(2)in subsection (b)—(A)in paragraph (1)(C), by striking minor and inserting child; and(B)in paragraph (2)—(i)in the heading, by striking

Videotaped

and inserting

Recorded

;(ii)in subparagraph (A), by striking that the deposition be recorded and preserved on videotape and inserting that a video recording of the deposition be made and preserved;(iii)in subparagraph (B)—(I)in clause (ii), by striking that the child's deposition be taken and preserved by videotape and inserting that a video recording of the child's deposition be made and preserved;(II)in clause (iii)—(aa)in the matter preceding subclause (I), by striking videotape and inserting recorded; and(bb)in subclause (IV), by striking videotape and inserting recording; and(III)in clause (v)—(aa)in the heading, by striking

videotape

and inserting

video recording

;(bb)in the first sentence, by striking made and preserved on video tape and inserting recorded and preserved; and(cc)in the second sentence, by striking videotape and inserting video recording;(iv)in subparagraph (C), by striking child's videotaped and inserting video recording of the child's;(v)in subparagraph (D)—(I)by striking videotaping and inserting deposition; and(II)by striking videotaped and inserting recorded;(vi)in subparagraph (E), by striking videotaped and inserting recorded; and(vii)in subparagraph (F), by striking videotape each place the term appears and inserting video recording;(3)in subsection (d)—(A)in paragraph (1)(A)—(i)in clause (i), by striking the name of or any other information concerning a child and inserting a covered person's protected information; and(ii)in clause (ii)—(I)by striking documents described in clause (i) or the information in them that concerns a child and inserting a covered person’s protected information; and(II)by striking , have reason to know such information and inserting (including witnesses or potential witnesses), have reason to know each item of protected information to be disclosed;(B)in paragraph (2)—(i)by striking the name of or any other information concerning a child each place the term appears and inserting a covered person’s protected information;(ii)by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly;(iii)by striking All papers and inserting the following:

(A)

In general

All papers

; and

(iv)by adding at the end the following:

(B)

Enforcement of violations

The court may address a violation of subparagraph (A) in the same manner as disobedience or resistance to a lawful court order under section 401(3).

;

(C)in paragraph (3)—(i)in subparagraph (A)—(I)by striking a child from public disclosure of the name of or any other information concerning the child and inserting a covered person's protected information from public disclosure; and(II)by striking , if the court determines that there is a significant possibility that such disclosure would be detrimental to the child;(ii)in subparagraph (B)—(I)in clause (i)—(aa)by striking a child witness, and the testimony of any other witness and inserting any witness; and(bb)by striking the name of or any other information concerning a child and inserting a covered person's protected information; and(II)in clause (ii), by striking child and inserting covered person; and(iii)by adding at the end the following:

(C)(i)For purposes of this paragraph, there shall be a presumption that public disclosure of a covered person’s protected information would be detrimental to the covered person.(ii)The court shall deny a motion for a protective order under subparagraph (A) only if the court finds that the party opposing the motion has rebutted the presumption under clause (i) of this subparagraph.

;

(D)in paragraph (4)—(i)by striking This subsection and inserting the following:

(A)

Disclosure to certain parties

This subsection

;

(ii)in subparagraph (A), as so designated—(I)by striking the name of or other information concerning a child and inserting a covered person's protected information; and(II)by striking or an adult attendant, or to and inserting an adult attendant, a law enforcement agency for any intelligence or investigative purpose, or; and(iii)by adding at the end the following:

(B)

Request for public disclosure

If any party requests public disclosure of a covered person’s protected information to further a public interest, the court shall deny the request unless the court finds that—(i)the party seeking disclosure has established that there is a compelling public interest in publicly disclosing the covered person’s protected information;(ii)there is a substantial probability that the public interest would be harmed if the covered person’s protected information is not disclosed;(iii)the substantial probability of harm to the public interest outweighs the harm to the covered person from public disclosure of the covered person’s protected information; and(iv)there is no alternative to public disclosure of the covered person’s protected information that would adequately protect the public interest.

; and

(E)by adding at the end the following:

(5)

Other protected information

The court may order that information shall be considered to be protected information for purposes of this subsection if the court finds that the information is sufficiently personal, sensitive, or identifying that it should be subject to the protections and presumptions under this subsection.

;

(4)by striking subsection (f) and inserting the following:

(f)

Victim impact statement

(1)

Probation officer

In preparing the presentence report pursuant to rule 32(c) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the probation officer shall request information from the multidisciplinary child abuse team, if applicable, or other appropriate sources to determine the impact of the offense on a child victim and any other children who may have been affected by the offense.(2)

Guardian ad litem

A guardian ad litem appointed under subsection (h) shall—(A)make every effort to obtain and report information that accurately expresses the views of a child victim, and the views of family members as appropriate, concerning the impact of the offense; and(B)use forms that permit a child victim to express the child's views concerning the personal consequences of the offense, at a level and in a form of communication commensurate with the child's age and ability.

;

(5)in subsection (h), by adding at the end the following:

(4)

Authorization of appropriations

(A)

In general

There is authorized to be appropriated to the United States courts to carry out this subsection $25,000,000 for each fiscal year.(B)

Supervision of payments

Payments from appropriations authorized under subparagraph (A) shall be made under the supervision of the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.

;

(6)in subsection (i)—(A)by striking A child testifying at or attending a judicial proceeding and inserting the following:

(1)

In general

A child testifying at a judicial proceeding, including in a manner described in subsection (b),

;

(B)in paragraph (1), as so designated—(i)in the third sentence, by striking proceeding and inserting testimony; and(ii)by striking the fifth sentence; and(C)by adding at the end the following:

(2)

Recording

If the adult attendant is in close physical proximity to or in contact with the child while the child testifies—(A)at a judicial proceeding, a video recording of the adult attendant shall be made and shall become part of the court record; or(B)in a manner described in subsection (b), the adult attendant shall be visible on the closed-circuit television or in the recorded deposition.(3)

Covered persons attending proceeding

A covered person shall have the right to be accompanied by an adult attendant when attending any judicial proceeding.

;

(7)in subsection (j)—(A)by striking child each place the term appears and inserting covered person; and(B)in the fourth sentence—(i)by striking and the potential and inserting , the potential;(ii)by striking child's and inserting covered person's; and(iii)by inserting before the period at the end the following: , and the necessity of the continuance to protect the defendant's rights;(8)in subsection (k), by striking child each place the term appears and inserting covered person; (9)in subsection (l), by striking child each place the term appears and inserting covered person; and(10)in subsection (m)—(A)by striking (as defined by section 2256 of this title) each place it appears;(B)in paragraph (1), by inserting and any civil action brought under section 2255 or 2255A after any criminal proceeding;(C)in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following:

(C)(i)Notwithstanding Rule 26 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, a court shall deny, in any civil action brought under section 2255 or 2255A, any request by any party to copy, photograph, duplicate, or otherwise reproduce any property or material that constitutes child pornography.(ii)In a civil action brought under section 2255 or 2255A, for purposes of paragraph (1), the court may—(I)order the plaintiff or defendant to provide to the court or the Government, as applicable, any equipment necessary to maintain care, custody, and control of such property or material; and(II)take reasonable measures, and may order the Government (if such property or material is in the care, custody, and control of the Government) to take reasonable measures, to provide each party to the action, the attorney of each party, and any individual a party may seek to qualify as an expert, with ample opportunity to inspect, view, and examine such property or material at the court or a Government facility, as applicable.

; and

(D)in paragraph (3)—(i)by inserting and during the 1-year period following the date on which the criminal proceeding becomes final or is terminated after any criminal proceeding; and(ii)by striking , as defined under section 2256(8),.(b)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to conduct that occurs before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act.

Facilitating payment of restitution; technical amendments to restitution statutes

Title 18, United States Code, is amended—(1)in section 1593(c)—(A)by inserting (1) after (c);(B)by striking chapter, including, in and inserting the following:

chapter.(2)In

; and

(C)in paragraph (2), as so designated, by inserting may assume the rights of the victim under this section after suitable by the court;(2)in section 2248(c)—(A)by striking For purposes and inserting the following:

(1)

In general

For purposes

;

(B)by striking chapter, including, in and inserting the following:

chapter.(2)

Assumption of crime victim's rights

; and

(C)in paragraph (2), as so designated, by inserting may assume the rights of the victim under this section after suitable by the court;(3)in section 2259—(A)by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:

(a)

In general

Notwithstanding section 3663 or 3663A, and in addition to any other civil or criminal penalty authorized by law, the court shall order restitution for any offense under—(1)section 1466A, to the extent the conduct involves a visual depiction of an identifiable minor; or(2)this chapter.

;

(B)in subsection (b)—(i)in paragraph (1), by striking Directions.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the and inserting Restitution for child pornography production.—If the defendant was convicted of child pornography production, the; and(ii)in paragraph (2)(B), by striking $3,000. and inserting the following: “—

(i)$3,000; or(ii)10 percent of the full amount of the victim’s losses, if the full amount of the victim's losses is less than $3,000.

; and

(C)in subsection (c)—(i)by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:

(1)

Child pornography production

For purposes of this section and section 2259A, the term child pornography production means—(A)a violation of, attempted violation of, or conspiracy to violate section 1466A(a) to the extent the conduct involves production of a visual depiction of an identifiable minor;(B)a violation of, attempted violation of, or conspiracy to violate section 1466A(a) involving possession with intent to distribute, or section 1466A(b), to the extent the conduct involves a visual depiction of an identifiable minor—(i)produced by the defendant; or(ii)that the defendant attempted or conspired to produce;(C)a violation of subsection (a), (b), or (c) of section 2251, or an attempt or conspiracy to violate any of those subsections under subsection (e) of that section;(D)a violation of section 2251A;(E)a violation of section 2252(a)(4) or 2252A(a)(5), or an attempt or conspiracy to violate either of those sections under section 2252(b)(2) or 2252A(b)(2), to the extent such conduct involves child pornography—(i)produced by the defendant; or(ii)that the defendant attempted or conspired to produce;(F)a violation of subsection (a)(7) of section 2252A, or an attempt or conspiracy to violate that subsection under subsection (b)(3) of that section, to the extent the conduct involves production with intent to distribute;(G)a violation of section 2252A(g) if the series of felony violations involves not fewer than 1 violation—(i)described in subparagraph (A), (B), (E), or (F) of this paragraph;(ii)of section 1591; or(iii)of section 1201, chapter 109A, or chapter 117, if the victim is a minor;(H)a violation of subsection (a) of section 2260, or an attempt or conspiracy to violate that subsection under subsection (c)(1) of that section;(I)a violation of section 2260B(a)(2) for promoting or facilitating an offense—(i)described in subparagraph (A), (B), (D), or (E) of this paragraph; or(ii)under section 2422(b); and(J)a violation of chapter 109A or chapter 117, if the offense involves the production or attempted production of, or conspiracy to produce, child pornography.

;

(ii)by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:

(3)

Trafficking in child pornography

For purposes of this section and section 2259A, the term trafficking in child pornography means—(A)a violation of, attempted violation of, or conspiracy to violate section 1466A(a) to the extent the conduct involves distribution or receipt of a visual depiction of an identifiable minor;(B)a violation of, attempted violation of, or conspiracy to violate section 1466A(a) involving possession with intent to distribute, or section 1466A(b), to the extent the conduct involves a visual depiction of an identifiable minor—(i)not produced by the defendant; or(ii)that the defendant did not attempt or conspire to produce; (C)a violation of subsection (d) of section 2251 or an attempt or conspiracy to violate that subsection under subsection (e) of that section;(D)a violation of paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (a) of section 2252, or an attempt or conspiracy to violate any of those paragraphs under subsection (b)(1) of that section;(E)a violation of section 2252(a)(4) or 2252A(a)(5), or an attempt or conspiracy to violate either of those sections under section 2252(b)(2) or 2252A(b)(2), to the extent such conduct involves child pornography—(i)not produced by the defendant; or(ii)that the defendant did not attempt or conspire to produce;(F)a violation of paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), or (6) of subsection (a) of section 2252A, or an attempt or conspiracy to violate any of those paragraphs under subsection (b)(1) of that section;(G)a violation of subsection (a)(7) of section 2252A, or an attempt or conspiracy to violate that subsection under subsection (b)(3) of that section, to the extent the conduct involves distribution;(H)a violation of section 2252A(g) if the series of felony violations exclusively involves violations described in this paragraph (except subparagraphs (A) and (B));(I)a violation of subsection (b) of section 2260, or an attempt or conspiracy to violate that subsection under subsection (c)(2) of that section; and(J)a violation of subsection (a)(1) of section 2260B, or a violation of subsection (a)(2) of that section for promoting or facilitating an offense described in this paragraph (except subparagraphs (A) and (B)).

; and

(iii)in paragraph (4), in the first sentence, by inserting or an identifiable minor harmed as a result of the commission of a crime under section 1466A after under this chapter;(4)in section 2259A(a)—(A)in paragraph (1), by striking under section 2252(a)(4) or 2252A(a)(5) and inserting described in subparagraph (B) or (E) of section 2259(c)(3); and(B)in paragraph (2), by striking any other offense for trafficking in child pornography and inserting any offense for trafficking in child pornography other than an offense described in subparagraph (B) or (E) of section 2259(c)(3);(5)in section 2429—(A)in subsection (b)(3), by striking 2259(b)(3) and inserting 2259(c)(2); and(B)in subsection (d)—(i)by inserting (1) after (d);(ii)by striking chapter, including, in and inserting the following:

chapter.(2)In

; and

(iii)in paragraph (2), as so designated, by inserting may assume the rights of the victim under this section after suitable by the court; and(6)in section 3664, by adding at the end the following:

(q)

Trustee or other fiduciary

(1)

In general

(A)

Appointment of trustee or other fiduciary

When the court issues an order of restitution under section 1593, 2248, 2259, 2429, or 3663, or subparagraphs (A)(i) and (B) of section 3663A(c)(1), for a victim described in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, the court, at its own discretion or upon motion by the Government, may appoint a trustee or other fiduciary to hold any amount paid for restitution in a trust or other official account for the benefit of the victim.(B)

Covered victims

A victim referred to in subparagraph (A) is a victim who is—(i)under the age of 18 at the time of the proceeding;(ii)incompetent or incapacitated; or(iii)subject to paragraph (3), a foreign citizen or stateless person residing outside the United States.(2)

Order

When the court appoints a trustee or other fiduciary under paragraph (1), the court shall issue an order specifying—(A)the duties of the trustee or other fiduciary, which shall require—(i)the administration of the trust or maintaining an official account in the best interests of the victim; and(ii)disbursing payments from the trust or account—(I)to the victim; or(II)to any individual or entity on behalf of the victim;(B)that the trustee or other fiduciary—(i)shall avoid any conflict of interest;(ii)may not profit from the administration of the trust or maintaining an official account for the benefit of the victim other than as specified in the order; and(iii)may not delegate administration of the trust or maintaining the official account to any other person;(C)if and when the trust or the duties of the other fiduciary will expire; and(D)the fees payable to the trustee or other fiduciary to cover expenses of administering the trust or maintaining the official account for the benefit of the victim, and the schedule for payment of those fees.(3)

Fact-finding regarding foreign citizens and stateless person

In the case of a victim who is a foreign citizen or stateless person residing outside the United States and is not under the age of 18 at the time of the proceeding or incompetent or incapacitated, the court may appoint a trustee or other fiduciary under paragraph (1) only if the court finds it necessary to—(A)protect the safety or security of the victim; or(B)provide a reliable means for the victim to access or benefit from the restitution payments.(4)

Payment of fees

(A)

In general

The court may, with respect to the fees of the trustee or other fiduciary—(i)pay the fees in whole or in part; or(ii)order the defendant to pay the fees in whole or in part.(B)

Applicability of other provisions

With respect to a court order under subparagraph (A)(ii) requiring a defendant to pay fees—(i)subsection (f)(3) shall apply to the court order in the same manner as that subsection applies to a restitution order;(ii)subchapter C of chapter 227 (other than section 3571) shall apply to the court order in the same manner as that subchapter applies to a sentence of a fine; and(iii)subchapter B of chapter 229 shall apply to the court order in the same manner as that subchapter applies to the implementation of a sentence of a fine.(C)

Effect on other penalties

Imposition of payment under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall not relieve a defendant of, or entitle a defendant to a reduction in the amount of, any special assessment, restitution, other fines, penalties, or costs, or other payments required under the defendant's sentence.(D)

Schedule

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the court orders the defendant to make any payment under subparagraph (A)(ii), the court may provide a payment schedule that is concurrent with the payment of any other financial obligation described in subparagraph (C).(5)

Authorization of appropriations

(A)

In general

There is authorized to be appropriated to the United States courts to carry out this subsection $15,000,000 for each fiscal year.(B)

Supervision of payments

Payments from appropriations authorized under subparagraph (A) shall be made under the supervision of the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.

Cybertipline improvements, and accountability and transparency by the tech industry

(a)

In general

Chapter 110 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—(1)in section 2258A—(A)by striking subsections (a), (b), and (c) and inserting the following:

(a)

Duty To report

(1)

Duty

In order to reduce the proliferation of online child exploitation and to prevent the online sexual exploitation of children, as soon as reasonably possible after obtaining actual knowledge of any facts or circumstances described in paragraph (2) or any apparent child pornography on the provider’s service, and in any event not later than 60 days after obtaining such knowledge, a provider shall submit to the CyberTipline of NCMEC, or any successor to the CyberTipline operated by NCMEC, a report containing— (A)the mailing address, telephone number, facsimile number, electronic mailing address of, and individual point of contact for, such provider; and(B)information described in subsection (b) concerning such facts or circumstances or apparent child pornography, including any available information to identify or locate any involved minor.(2)

Facts or circumstances

The facts or circumstances described in this paragraph are any facts or circumstances indicating an apparent, planned, or imminent violation of section 1591 (if the violation involves a minor), 2251, 2251A, 2252, 2252A, 2252B, 2260, or 2422(b).(b)

Contents of report

(1)

In general

In an effort to prevent the future sexual victimization of children, and to the extent the information is within the custody or control of a provider, each report provided under subsection (a)(1)—(A)shall include, to the extent that it is applicable and reasonably available—(i)the name, address, electronic mail address, user or account identification, Internet Protocol address, and uniform resource locator of any individual who is a subject of the report;(ii)the terms of service in effect at the time of—(I)the apparent violation; or(II)the detection of apparent child pornography or a planned or imminent violation;(iii)a copy of any apparent child pornography that is the subject of the report that was identified in a publicly available location;(iv)for each item of apparent child pornography included in the report under clause (iii) or paragraph (2)(E), information indicating whether—(I)the apparent child pornography was publicly available; or(II)the provider, in its sole discretion, viewed the apparent child pornography, or any copy thereof, at any point concurrent with or prior to the submission of the report; and(v)for each item of apparent child pornography that is the subject of the report, an indication as to whether the apparent child pornography—(I)has previously been the subject of a report under subsection (a)(1); or(II)is the subject of multiple contemporaneous reports due to rapid and widespread distribution; and(B)may, at the sole discretion of the provider, include the information described in paragraph (2) of this subsection.(2)

Other information

The information referred to in paragraph (1)(B) is the following:(A)

Information about any involved individual

Any information relating to the identity or location of any individual who is a subject of the report, including payment information (excluding personally identifiable information) and self-reported identifying or locating information.(B)

Information about any involved minor

Information relating to the identity or location of any involved minor, which may include an address, electronic mail address, Internet Protocol address, uniform resource locator, or any other information that may identify or locate any involved minor, including self-reported identifying or locating information.(C)

Historical reference

Information relating to when and how a customer or subscriber of a provider uploaded, transmitted, or received content relating to the report or when and how content relating to the report was reported to, or discovered by the provider, including a date and time stamp and time zone.(D)

Geographic location information

Information relating to the geographic location of the involved individual or website, which may include the Internet Protocol address or verified address, or, if not reasonably available, at least one form of geographic identifying information, including area code or zip code, provided by the customer or subscriber, or stored or obtained by the provider.(E)

Apparent child pornography

Any apparent child pornography not described in paragraph (1)(A)(iii), or other content related to the subject of the report.(F)

Complete communication

The complete communication containing any apparent child pornography or other content, including—(i)any data or information regarding the transmission of the communication; and(ii)any visual depictions, data, or other digital files contained in, or attached to, the communication.(G)

Technical identifier

An industry-standard hash value or other similar industry-standard technical identifier for any reported visual depiction as it existed on the provider’s service.(H)

Description

For any item of apparent child pornography that is the subject of the report, an indication of whether—(i)the depicted sexually explicit conduct involves—(I)genital, oral, or anal sexual intercourse;(II)bestiality;(III)masturbation;(IV)sadistic or masochistic abuse; or(V)lascivious exhibition of the anus, genitals, or pubic area of any person; and(ii)the depicted minor is—(I)an infant or toddler;(II)prepubescent;(III)pubescent;(IV)post-pubescent; or(V)of an indeterminate age or developmental stage.(3)

Formatting of reports

When a provider includes any information described in paragraph (1) or, at its sole discretion, any information described in paragraph (2) in a report to the CyberTipline of NCMEC, or any successor to the CyberTipline operated by NCMEC, the provider shall use best efforts to ensure that the report conforms with the structure of the CyberTipline or the successor, as applicable.(c)

Forwarding of report and other information to law enforcement

(1)

In general

Pursuant to its clearinghouse role as a private, nonprofit organization, and at the conclusion of its review in furtherance of its nonprofit mission, NCMEC shall make available each report submitted under subsection (a)(1) to one or more of the following law enforcement agencies:(A)Any Federal law enforcement agency that is involved in the investigation of child sexual exploitation, kidnapping, or enticement crimes.(B)Any State or local law enforcement agency that is involved in the investigation of child sexual exploitation.(C)A foreign law enforcement agency designated by the Attorney General under subsection (d)(3) or a foreign law enforcement agency that has an established relationship with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or INTERPOL, and is involved in the investigation of child sexual exploitation, kidnapping, or enticement crimes.(2)

Technical identifiers

If a report submitted under subsection (a)(1) contains an industry-standard hash value or other similar industry-standard technical identifier—(A)NCMEC may compare that hash value or identifier with any database or repository of visual depictions owned or operated by NCMEC; and(B)if the comparison under subparagraph (A) results in a match, NCMEC may include the matching visual depiction from its database or repository when forwarding the report to an agency described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1).

;

(B)in subsection (d)—(i)in paragraph (2), by striking subsection (c)(1) and inserting subsection (c)(1)(A);(ii)in paragraph (3)—(I)in subparagraph (A), by striking subsection (c)(3) and inserting subsection (c)(1)(C); and(II)in subparagraph (C), by striking subsection (c)(3) and inserting subsection (c)(1)(C); and(iii)in paragraph (5)(B)—(I)in clause (i), by striking forwarded and inserting made available; and(II)in clause (ii), by striking forwarded and inserting made available; (C)by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:

(e)

Failure To comply with requirements

(1)

Criminal penalty

(A)

Offense

It shall be unlawful for a provider to knowingly—(i)fail to submit a report under subsection (a)(1) within the time period required by that subsection; or(ii)fail to preserve material as required under subsection (h).(B)

Penalty

(i)

In general

A provider that violates subparagraph (A) shall be fined—(I)in the case of an initial violation, not more than—(aa)$850,000 if the provider has not fewer than 100,000,000 monthly active users; or(bb)$600,000 if the provider has fewer than 100,000,000 monthly active users; and(II)in the case of any second or subsequent violation, not more than—(aa)$1,000,000 if the provider has not fewer than 100,000,000 monthly active users; or(bb)$850,000 if the provider has fewer than 100,000,000 monthly active users.(ii)

Harm to individuals

The maximum fine under clause (i) shall be doubled if an individual is harmed as a direct and proximate result of the applicable violation.(2)

Civil penalty

(A)

Violations relating to CyberTipline reports and material preservation

A provider shall be liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty in an amount of not less than $50,000 and not more than $250,000 if the provider knowingly—(i)fails to submit a report under subsection (a)(1) within the time period required by that subsection;(ii)fails to preserve material as required under subsection (h); or(iii)submits a report under subsection (a)(1) that—(I)contains materially false or fraudulent information; or(II)omits information described in subsection (b)(1)(A) that is reasonably available.(B)

Annual report violations

A provider shall be liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty in an amount of not less than $100,000 and not more than $1,000,000 if the provider knowingly—(i)fails to submit an annual report as required under subsection (i); or(ii)submits an annual report under subsection (i) that—(I)contains a materially false, fraudulent, or misleading statement; or(II)omits information described in subsection (i)(1) that is reasonably available. (C)

Harm to individuals

The amount of a civil penalty under subparagraph (A) or (B) shall be tripled if an individual is harmed as a direct and proximate result of the applicable violation.(D)

Costs of civil actions

A provider that commits a violation described in subparagraph (A) or (B) shall be liable to the United States Government for the costs of a civil action brought to recover a civil penalty under that subparagraph.(E)

Enforcement

This paragraph shall be enforced in accordance with sections 3731, 3732, and 3733 of title 31, except that a civil action to recover a civil penalty under subparagraph (A) or (B) of this paragraph may only be brought by the United States Government.(3)

Deposit of fines and penalties

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any criminal fine or civil penalty collected under this subsection shall be deposited into the Child Pornography Victims Reserve as provided in section 2259B.

;

(D)in subsection (f), by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:

(3)affirmatively search, screen, or scan for—(A)facts or circumstances described in subsection (a)(2);(B)information described in subsection (b)(2); or(C)any apparent child pornography.

;

(E)in subsection (g)—(i)in paragraph (2)(A)—(I)in clause (iii), by inserting or personnel at a children's advocacy center after State); and(II)in clause (iv), by striking State or subdivision of a State and inserting State, subdivision of a State, or children's advocacy center; and(ii)in paragraph (3), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking subsection (a) and inserting subsection (a)(1);(F)in subsection (h), by adding at the end the following:

(5)

Relation to reporting requirement

Submission of a report as described in subsection (a)(1) does not satisfy the obligations under this subsection.

; and

(G)by adding at the end the following:

(i)

Annual report

(1)

In general

Not later than March 31 of the second year beginning after the date of enactment of the STOP CSAM Act of 2024, and of each year thereafter, a provider that had more than 1,000,000 unique monthly visitors or users during each month of the preceding year and accrued revenue of more than $50,000,000 during the preceding year shall submit to the Attorney General and the Chair of the Federal Trade Commission a report, disaggregated by subsidiary, that provides the following information for the preceding year to the extent such information is applicable and reasonably available:(A)

Cybertipline data

(i)The total number of reports that the provider submitted under subsection (a)(1).(ii)Which items of information described in subsection (b)(2) are routinely included in the reports submitted by the provider under subsection (a)(1).(B)

Report and remove data

With respect to section 6 of the STOP CSAM Act of 2024—(i)a description of the provider’s designated reporting system; (ii)the number of complete notifications received;(iii)the number of items of child sexual abuse material that were removed; and(iv)the total amount of any fine ordered and paid.(C)

Other reporting to the provider

(i)The measures the provider has in place to receive other reports concerning child sexual exploitation and abuse using the provider's product or on the provider's service.(ii)The average time for responding to reports described in clause (i).(iii)The number of reports described in clause (i) that the provider received.(iv)A summary description of the actions taken upon receipt of the reports described in clause (i).(D)

Policies

(i)A description of the policies of the provider with respect to the commission of child sexual exploitation and abuse using the provider's product or on the provider's service, including how child sexual exploitation and abuse is defined.(ii)A description of possible consequences for violations of the policies described in clause (i).(iii)The methods of informing users of the policies described in clause (i).(iv)The process for adjudicating potential violations of the policies described in clause (i).(E)

Culture of safety

(i)The measures and technologies that the provider deploys to protect children from sexual exploitation and abuse using the provider’s product or service.(ii)The measures and technologies that the provider deploys to prevent the use of the provider’s product or service by individuals seeking to commit child sexual exploitation and abuse.(iii)Factors that interfere with the provider’s ability to detect or evaluate instances of child sexual exploitation and abuse.(iv)An assessment of the efficacy of the measures and technologies described in clauses (i) and (ii) and the impact of the factors described in clause (iii).(F)

Safety by design

The measures that the provider takes before launching a new product or service to assess—(i)the safety risks for children with respect to sexual exploitation and abuse; and(ii)whether and how individuals could use the new product or service to commit child sexual exploitation and abuse.(G)

Trends and patterns

Any information concerning emerging trends and changing patterns with respect to the commission of online child sexual exploitation and abuse.(2)

Avoiding duplication

Notwithstanding the requirement under the matter preceding paragraph (1) that information be submitted annually, in the case of any report submitted under that paragraph after the initial report, a provider shall submit information described in subparagraphs (D) through (G) of that paragraph not less frequently than once every 3 years or when new information is available, whichever is more frequent.(3)

Limitation

Nothing in paragraph (1) shall require the disclosure of trade secrets or other proprietary information.(4)

Publication

(A)

In general

Subject to subparagraph (B), the Attorney General and the Chair of the Federal Trade Commission shall publish the reports received under this subsection.(B)

Redaction

(i)

In general

The Attorney General and Chair of the Federal Trade Commission shall redact from a report published under subparagraph (A) any information as necessary to avoid—(I)undermining the efficacy of a safety measure described in the report; or(II)revealing how a product or service of a provider may be used to commit online child sexual exploitation and abuse.(ii)

Additional redaction

(I)

Request

In addition to information redacted under clause (i), a provider may request the redaction, from a report published under subparagraph (A), of any information that is law enforcement sensitive or otherwise not suitable for public distribution.(II)

Agency discretion

The Attorney General and Chair of the Federal Trade Commission—(aa)shall consider a request made under subclause (I); and(bb)may, in their discretion, redact from a report published under subparagraph (A) any information that is law enforcement sensitive or otherwise not suitable for public distribution, whether or not requested.

;

(2)in section 2258B—(A)by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:

(a)

In general

(1)

Limited liability

Except as provided in subsection (b), a civil claim or criminal charge described in paragraph (2) may not be brought in any Federal or State court.(2)

Covered claims and charges

A civil claim or criminal charge referred to in paragraph (1) is a civil claim or criminal charge against a provider or domain name registrar, including any director, officer, employee, or agent of such provider or domain name registrar, that is directly attributable to—(A)the performance of the reporting or preservation responsibilities of such provider or domain name registrar under this section, section 2258A, or section 2258C;(B)transmitting, distributing, or mailing child pornography to any Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency, or giving such agency access to child pornography, in response to a search warrant, court order, or other legal process issued or obtained by such agency; or(C)the use by the provider or domain name registrar of any material being preserved under section 2258A(h) by such provider or registrar for research conducted voluntarily and in good faith for the sole and exclusive purpose of—(i)improving or facilitating reporting under this section, section 2258A, or section 2258C; or(ii)stopping the online sexual exploitation of children.

; and

(B)in subsection (b)—(i)in paragraph (1), by striking ; or and inserting or knowingly failed to comply with a requirement under section 2258A;;(ii)in paragraph (2)(C)—(I)by striking this section, sections and inserting this section or section; and(II)by striking the period and inserting ; or; and(iii)by adding at the end the following:

(3)for purposes of subsection (a)(2)(C), knowingly distributed or transmitted the material, or made the material available, except as required by law, to—(A)any other entity;(B)any person not employed by the provider or domain name registrar; or(C)any person employed by the provider or domain name registrar who is not conducting any research described in that subsection.

;

(3)in section 2258C—(A)in the section heading, by striking

the CyberTipline

and inserting

NCMEC

;(B)in subsection (a)—(i)in the subsection heading, by striking

Elements

and inserting

Provision to providers and nonprofit entities

;(ii)in paragraph (1)—(I)by striking to a provider and inserting the following:

or submission to the child victim identification program to—(A)a provider

;

(II)in subparagraph (A), as so designated—(aa)by inserting use of the provider’s products or services to commit after stop the; and(bb)by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or; and(III)by adding at the end the following:

(B)a nonprofit entity for the sole and exclusive purpose of preventing and curtailing the online sexual exploitation of children.

; and

(iii)in paragraph (2)—(I)in the heading, by striking

Inclusions

and inserting

Elements

;(II)by striking unique identifiers and inserting similar technical identifiers; and(III)by inserting or submission to the child victim identification program after CyberTipline report;(C)in subsection (b)—(i)in the heading, by inserting

or nonprofit entities

after

providers

;(ii)by striking Any provider and inserting the following:

(1)

In general

Any provider or nonprofit entity

;

(iii)in paragraph (1), as so designated—(I)by striking receives and inserting obtains; and(II)by inserting or submission to the child victim identification program after CyberTipline report; and (iv)by adding at the end the following:

(2)

Limitation on sharing with other entities

A provider or nonprofit entity that obtains elements under subsection (a)(1) may not distribute those elements, or make those elements available, to any other entity, except for the sole and exclusive purpose of stopping the online sexual exploitation of children.

;

(D)in subsection (c)—(i)by striking subsections and inserting subsection;(ii)by striking providers receiving and inserting a provider to obtain;(iii)by inserting or submission to the child victim identification program after CyberTipline report; and(iv)by striking to use the elements to stop the online sexual exploitation of children; and(E)in subsection (d), by inserting or to the child victim identification program after CyberTipline; (4)in section 2258E—(A)in paragraph (6), by striking electronic communication service provider and inserting electronic communication service;(B)in paragraph (7), by striking and at the end;(C)in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and(D)by adding at the end the following:

(9)the term publicly available, with respect to a visual depiction on a provider's service, means the visual depiction can be viewed by or is accessible to all users of the service, regardless of the steps, if any, a user must take to create an account or to gain access to the service in order to access or view the visual depiction; and(10)the term child victim identification program means the program described in section 404(b)(1)(K)(ii) of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 (34 U.S.C. 11293(b)(1)(K)(ii)).

;

(5)in section 2259B(a), by inserting , any fine or penalty collected under section 2258A(e) or subparagraph (A) of section 6(g)(24) of the STOP CSAM Act of 2024 (except as provided in clauses (i) and (ii)(I) of subparagraph (B) of such section 6(g)(24)), after 2259A; and(6)by adding at the end the following:

2260B.

Liability for certain child exploitation offenses

(a)

Offense

It shall be unlawful for a provider of an interactive computer service, as that term is defined in section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 230), that operates through the use of any facility or means of interstate or foreign commerce or in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, through such service to—(1)intentionally host or store child pornography or make child pornography available to any person; or(2)knowingly promote or facilitate a violation of section 2251, 2251A, 2252, 2252A, or 2422(b).(b)

Penalty

A provider of an interactive computer service that violates subsection (a)—(1)subject to paragraph (2), shall be fined not more than $1,000,000; and(2)if the offense involves a conscious or reckless risk of serious personal injury or an individual is harmed as a direct and proximate result of the violation, shall be fined not more than $5,000,000.(c)

Rule of construction

Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to any good faith action by a provider of an interactive computer service that is necessary to comply with a valid court order, subpoena, search warrant, statutory obligation, or preservation request from law enforcement.

(b)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections for chapter 110 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

2260B. Liability for certain child exploitation offenses.

(c)

Effective date for amendments to reporting requirements of providers

The amendments made by subsection (a)(1) of this section shall take effect on the date that is 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

Expanding civil remedies for victims of online child sexual exploitation

(a)

Statement of intent

Nothing in this section shall be construed to abrogate or narrow any case law concerning section 2255 of title 18, United States Code.(b)

Civil remedy for personal injuries

Section 2255(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended—(1)by striking In general.—Any person who, while a minor, was a victim of a violation of section 1589, 1590, 1591, 2241(c), 2242, 2243, 2251, 2251A, 2252, 2252A, 2260, 2421, 2422, or 2423 of this title and who suffers personal injury as a result of such violation, regardless of whether the injury occurred while such person was a minor, may sue and inserting the following:

Private right of action.—(1)

In general

Any person described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (2) who suffers personal injury as a result of a violation described in that subparagraph, regardless of whether the injury occurred while such person was a minor, may bring a civil action

; and

(2)by adding at the end the following:

(2)

Eligible persons

Paragraph (1) shall apply to any person—(A)who, while a minor, was a victim of—(i)a violation of section 1589, 1590, 1591, 2241, 2242, 2243, 2251, 2251A, 2260(a), 2421, 2422, or 2423;(ii)an attempt to violate section 1589, 1590, or 1591 under section 1594(a);(iii)a conspiracy to violate section 1589 or 1590 under section 1594(b); or(iv)a conspiracy to violate section 1591 under section 1594(c);(B)who—(i)is depicted as a minor in child pornography; and(ii)is a victim of a violation of 2252, 2252A, or 2260(b) (regardless of when the violation occurs); or(C)who—(i)is depicted as an identifiable minor in a visual depiction described in section 1466A; and(ii)is a victim of a violation of that section (regardless of when the violation occurs).

(c)

Civil remedy against online platforms and app stores

(1)

In general

Chapter 110 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 2255 the following:

2255A.

Civil remedy against online platforms and app stores

(a)

In general

(1)

Promotion or aiding and abetting of certain violations

Any person who is a victim of the intentional or knowing promotion, or aiding and abetting, of a violation of section 1591 or 1594(c) (involving a minor), or section 2251, 2251A, 2252, 2252A, or 2422(b), where such promotion, or aiding and abetting, is by a provider of an interactive computer service or an app store, and who suffers personal injury as a result of such promotion or aiding and abetting, regardless of when the injury occurred, may bring a civil action in any appropriate United States District Court for relief set forth in subsection (b).(2)

Activities involving child pornography

Any person who is a victim of the intentional or knowing hosting or storing of child pornography or making child pornography available to any person by a provider of an interactive computer service, and who suffers personal injury as a result of such hosting, storing, or making available, regardless of when the injury occurred, may bring a civil action in any appropriate United States District Court for relief set forth in subsection (b).(b)

Relief

In a civil action brought by a person under subsection (a)—(1)the person shall recover the actual damages the person sustains or liquidated damages in the amount of $300,000, and the cost of the action, including reasonable attorney fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred; and(2)the court may, in addition to any other relief available at law, award punitive damages and such other preliminary and equitable relief as the court determines to be appropriate, including a temporary restraining order, a preliminary injunction, or a permanent injunction ordering the defendant to cease the offending conduct.(c)

Statute of limitations

There shall be no time limit for the filing of a complaint commencing an action under subsection (a).(d)

Venue; service of process

(1)

Venue

Any action brought under subsection (a) may be brought in the district court of the United States that meets applicable requirements relating to venue under section 1391 of title 28.(2)

Service of process

In an action brought under subsection (a), process may be served in any district in which the defendant—(A)is an inhabitant; or(B)may be found.(e)

Relation to section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934

Nothing in section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 230) shall be construed to impair or limit any claim brought under subsection (a).(f)

Rules of construction

(1)

Applicability to legal process or obligation

Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to any good faith action that is necessary to comply with a valid court order, subpoena, search warrant, statutory obligation, or preservation request from law enforcement.(2)

Knowledge with respect to each item required

For purposes of a claim brought under subsection (a)(2), the term knowing shall be construed to mean knowledge of each item of child pornography that the provider hosted, stored, or made available.(g)

Encryption technologies

(1)

In general

None of the following actions or circumstances shall serve as an independent basis for liability under subsection (a):(A)Utilizing full end-to-end encrypted messaging services, device encryption, or other encryption services.(B)Not possessing the information necessary to decrypt a communication.(C)Failing to take an action that would otherwise undermine the ability to offer full end-to-end encrypted messaging services, device encryption, or other encryption services.(2)

Consideration of evidence

(A)

Permitted use

Evidence of actions or circumstances described in paragraph (1) shall be admissible in a civil action brought under subsection (a) only if—(i)the actions or circumstances are relevant under rules 401 and 402 of the Federal Rules of Evidence to—(I)prove motive, intent, preparation, plan, absence of mistake, or lack of accident; or(II)rebut any evidence or factual or legal claim; and(ii)the actions or circumstances are not subject to exclusion under rule 403 of the Federal Rules of Evidence.(B)

Notice

In a civil action brought under subsection (a), a plaintiff seeking to introduce evidence of actions or circumstances under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall—(i)provide reasonable notice—(I)in writing before trial; or(II)in any form during trial if the court, for good cause, excuses lack of pretrial notice; and(ii)articulate in the notice described in clause (i) the permitted purpose for which the plaintiff intends to offer the evidence and the reasoning that supports the purpose.(h)

Defense

In a claim under subsection (a)(2) involving knowing conduct, it shall be a defense, which the provider of an interactive computer service must establish by a preponderance of the evidence, that— (1)the provider disabled access to or removed the child pornography within a reasonable timeframe, and in any event not later than 48 hours after obtaining knowledge that the child pornography was being hosted, stored, or made available by the provider (or, in the case of a provider that, for the most recent calendar year, averaged fewer than 10,000,000 active users on a monthly basis in the United States, within a reasonable timeframe, and in any event not later than 2 business days after obtaining such knowledge); or(2)the provider—(A)exercised a reasonable, good faith effort to disable access to or remove the child pornography but was unable to do so for reasons outside the provider’s control; and(B)determined it is technologically impossible for the provider to disable access to or remove the child pornography without compromising encryption technologies.(i)

Sanctions for repeated bad faith civil actions

(1)

In general

In the case of a civil action brought under subsection (a), the court may impose sanctions on—(A)the party bringing the civil action if the court finds that the party has brought 2 or more bad faith civil actions (which may include the instant civil action); or(B)an attorney or law firm representing the party bringing the civil action if the court finds that the attorney or law firm has represented—(i)a party who has brought 2 or more bad faith civil actions (which may include the instant civil action); or(ii)2 or more parties who have each brought a bad faith civil action (which may include the instant civil action).(2)

Definition of bad faith civil action

For purposes of paragraph (1), the term bad faith civil action means a civil action brought under subsection (a) in bad faith where the finder of fact determined that at the time the civil action was filed, the party, attorney, or law firm described in paragraph (1) had actual knowledge that the alleged conduct—(A)did not involve any minor; or(B)did not involve any child pornography.(3)

Implementation

Rule 11(c) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure shall apply to sanctions imposed under this subsection in the same manner as that Rule applies to sanctions imposed for a violation of Rule 11(b) of those Rules.(4)

Rules of construction

(A)

Rule 11

This subsection shall not be construed to limit or expand the application of Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.(B)

Definition change

Paragraph (2)(B) shall not be construed to apply to a civil action affected by a contemporaneous change in the law with respect to the definition of child pornography.(j)

Definitions

In this section:(1)

App

The term app means a software application or electronic service that may be run or directed by a user on a computer, a mobile device, or any other general purpose computing device.(2)

App store

The term app store means a publicly available website, software application, or other electronic service that—(A)distributes apps from third-party developers to users of a computer, a mobile device, or any other general purpose computing device; and(B)operates—(i)through the use of any means or facility of interstate or foreign commerce; or(ii)in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce.(3)

Interactive computer service

The term interactive computer service means an interactive computer service, as defined in section 230(f) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 230(f)), that operates—(A)through the use of any means or facility of interstate or foreign commerce; or(B)in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce.

(2)

Conforming amendment

The table of sections for chapter 110 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2255 the following:

2255A. Civil remedy against online platforms and app stores.

Reporting and removal of child sexual abuse material; establishment of Child Online Protection Board

(a)

Findings

Congress finds the following:(1)Over 40 years ago, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in New York v. Ferber, 458 U.S. 747 (1982), that child sexual abuse material (referred to in this subsection as CSAM) is a category of material outside the protections of the First Amendment. The Court emphasized that children depicted in CSAM are harmed twice: first through the abuse and exploitation inherent in the creation of the materials, and then through the continued circulation of the imagery, which inflicts its own emotional and psychological injury.(2)The Supreme Court reiterated this point 10 years ago in Paroline v. United States, 572 U.S. 434 (2014), when it explained that CSAM victims suffer continuing and grievous harm as a result of [their] knowledge that a large, indeterminate number of individuals have viewed and will in the future view images of the sexual abuse they endured.(3)In these decisions, the Supreme Court noted that the distribution of CSAM invades the privacy interests of the victims.(4)The co-mingling online of CSAM with other, non-explicit depictions of the victims links the victim’s identity with the images of their abuse. This further invades a victim’s privacy and disrupts their sense of security, thwarting what the Supreme Court has described as the individual interest in avoiding disclosure of personal matters.(5)The internet is awash with child sexual abuse material. In 2022, the CyberTipline, operated by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children to combat online child sexual exploitation, received reports about 49,400,000 images and 37,700,000 videos depicting child sexual abuse.(6)Since 2017, Project Arachnid, operated by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, has sent over 38,000,000 notices to online providers about CSAM and other exploitive material found on their platforms. According to the Canadian Centre, some providers are slow to remove the material, or take it down only for it to be reposted again a short time later.(7)This legislation is needed to create an easy-to-use and effective procedure to get CSAM and harmful related imagery quickly taken offline and kept offline to protect children, stop the spread of illegal and harmful content, and thwart the continued invasion of the victims' privacy. (b)

Implementation

(1)

Implementation

Except as provided in paragraph (2), not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Child Online Protection Board established under subsection (d), shall begin operations, at which point providers shall begin receiving notifications as set forth in subsection (c)(2). (2)

Extension

The Commission may extend the deadline under paragraph (1) by not more than 180 days if the Commission provides notice of the extension to the public and to Congress.(3)

Public notice

The Commission shall provide notice to the public of the date that the Child Online Protection Board established under subsection (d) is scheduled to begin operations on—(A)the date that is 60 days before such date that the Board is scheduled to begin operations; and(B)the date that is 30 days before such date that the Board is scheduled to begin operations.(c)

Reporting and removal of child sexual abuse material

(1)

In general

If a provider receives a complete notification as set forth in paragraph (2)(A) that the provider is hosting child sexual abuse material, as soon as possible, but in any event not later than 48 hours after such notification is received by the provider (or, in the case of a small provider, not later than 2 business days after such notification is received by the small provider), the provider shall—(A)(i)remove the child sexual abuse material; and(ii)notify the complainant that it has done so; or(B)notify the complainant that the provider—(i)has determined that the visual depiction referenced in the notification does not constitute child sexual abuse material; (ii)is unable to remove the child sexual abuse material using reasonable means; or(iii)has determined that the notification is duplicative under paragraph (2)(C)(i).(2)

Notifications

(A)

In general

To be complete under this subsection, a notification must be a written communication to the designated reporting system of the provider (or, if the provider does not have a designated reporting system, a written communication that is served on the provider in accordance with subparagraph (F)) that includes the following:(i)An identification of, and information reasonably sufficient to permit the provider to locate, the child sexual abuse material. Such information may include, at the option of the complainant, a copy of the child sexual abuse material or the uniform resource locator where such child sexual abuse material is located. (ii)The complainant’s name and contact information, to include a mailing address, telephone number, and an electronic mail address, except that, if the complainant is the victim depicted in the child sexual abuse material, the complainant may elect to use an alias, including for purposes of the signed statement described in clause (v), and omit a mailing address. (iii)If applicable, a statement indicating that the complainant has previously notified the provider about the child sexual abuse material which may, at the option of the complainant, include a copy of the previous notification.(iv)A statement indicating that the complainant has a good faith belief that the information in the notification is accurate.(v)A signed statement under penalty of perjury indicating that the notification is submitted by—(I)the victim depicted in the child sexual abuse material;(II)an authorized representative of the victim depicted in the child sexual abuse material; or(III)a qualified organization.(B)

Inclusion of additional visual depictions in a notification

(i)

Multiple items of child sexual abuse material in same notification

A notification may contain information about more than one item of child sexual abuse material, but shall only be effective with respect to each item of child sexual abuse material included in the notification to the extent that the notification includes sufficient information to identify and locate such item of child sexual abuse material.(ii)

Related exploitive visual depictions

(I)

In general

A notification may contain information about any related exploitive visual depictions associated with the child sexual abuse material described in the notification, along with the information described in subparagraph (A)(i) for each related exploitive visual depiction. Such notification shall clearly indicate which visual depiction is a related exploitive visual depiction. Such notification shall include a statement indicating that the complainant acknowledges that the provider may, but is not required to, remove the related exploitive visual depiction, and that the complainant cannot file a petition with the Child Online Protection Board concerning any alleged failure to remove a related exploitive visual depiction.(II)

No obligation

A provider shall not be required to take any action under this section concerning a related exploitive visual depiction. A provider may, in its sole discretion, remove a related exploitive visual depiction. The procedure set forth in subsection (g)(1) shall not apply to related exploitive visual depictions. (C)

Limitation on duplicative notifications

(i)

In general

After a complainant has submitted a notification to a provider, the complainant may submit additional notifications at any time only if the subsequent notifications involve—(I)a different item of child sexual abuse material;(II)the same item of child sexual abuse material relating to a minor that is in a different location; or(III)recidivist hosting.(ii)

No obligation

A provider who receives any additional notifications that do not comply with clause (i) shall not be required to take any additional action except—(I)as may be required with respect to the original notification; and(II)to notify the complainant as provided in paragraph (1)(B)(iii). (D)

Incomplete or misdirected notification

(i)

Requirement to contact complainant regarding insufficient information

(I)

Requirement to contact complainant

If a notification that is submitted to a provider under this subsection does not contain sufficient information under subparagraph (A)(i) to identify or locate the child sexual abuse material that is the subject of the notification but does contain the complainant contact information described in subparagraph (A)(ii), the provider shall, not later than 48 hours after receiving the notification (or, in the case of a small provider, not later than 2 business days after such notification is received by the small provider), contact the complainant via electronic mail address to obtain such information.(II)

Effect of complainant providing sufficient information

If the provider is able to contact the complainant and obtain sufficient information to identify or locate the child sexual abuse material that is the subject of the notification, the provider shall then proceed as set forth in paragraph (1), except that the applicable timeframes described in such paragraph shall commence on the day the provider receives the information needed to identify or locate the child sexual abuse material. (III)

Effect of complainant inability to provide sufficient information

If the provider is able to contact the complainant but does not obtain sufficient information to identify or locate the child sexual abuse material that is the subject of the notification, the provider shall so notify the complainant not later than 48 hours after the provider determines that it is unable to identify or locate the child sexual abuse material (or, in the case of a small provider, not later than 2 business days after the small provider makes such determination), after which no further action by the provider is required and receipt of the notification shall not be considered in determining whether the provider has actual knowledge of any information described in the notification. (IV)

Effect of complainant failure to respond

If the complainant does not respond to the provider's attempt to contact the complainant under this clause within 14 days of such attempt, no further action by the provider is required and receipt of the notification shall not be considered in determining whether the provider has actual knowledge of any information described in the notification.(ii)

Treatment of incomplete notification where complainant cannot be contacted

If a notification that is submitted to a provider under this subsection does not contain sufficient information under subparagraph (A)(i) to identify or locate the child sexual abuse material that is the subject of the notification and does not contain the complainant contact information described in subparagraph (A)(ii) (or if the provider is unable to contact the complainant using such information), no further action by the provider is required and receipt of the notification shall not be considered in determining whether the provider has actual knowledge of any information described in the notification.(iii)

Treatment of notification not submitted to designated reporting system

If a provider has a designated reporting system, and a complainant submits a notification under this subsection to the provider without using such system, the provider shall not be considered to have received the notification.(E)

Option to contact complainant regarding the child sexual abuse material

(i)

Contact with complainant

If the provider believes that the child sexual abuse material referenced in the notification does not meet the definition of such term as provided in subsection (r)(10), the provider may, not later than 48 hours after receiving the notification (or, in the case of a small provider, not later than 2 business days after such notification is received by the small provider), contact the complainant via electronic mail address to so indicate.(ii)

Failure to respond

If the complainant does not respond to the provider within 14 days after receiving the notification, no further action by the provider is required and receipt of the notification shall not be considered in determining whether the provider has actual knowledge of any information described in the notification.(iii)

Complainant response

If the complainant responds to the provider within 14 days after receiving the notification, the provider shall then proceed as set forth in paragraph (1), except that the applicable timeframes described in such paragraph shall commence on the day the provider receives the complainant’s response. (F)

Service of notification where provider has no designated reporting system; process where complainant cannot serve provider

(i)

No designated reporting system

If a provider does not have a designated reporting system, a complainant may serve the provider with a notification under this subsection to the provider in the same manner that petitions are required to be served under subsection (g)(4).(ii)

Complainant cannot serve provider

If a provider does not have a designated reporting system and a complainant cannot reasonably serve the provider with a notification as described in clause (i), the complainant may bring a petition under subsection (g)(1) without serving the provider with the notification.(G)

Recidivist hosting

If a provider engages in recidivist hosting of child sexual abuse material, in addition to any action taken under this section, a complainant may submit a report concerning such recidivist hosting to the CyberTipline operated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, or any successor to the CyberTipline operated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.(H)

Preservation

A provider that receives a complete notification under this subsection shall preserve the information in such notification in accordance with the requirements of sections 2713 and 2258A(h) of title 18, United States Code. For purposes of this subparagraph, the period for which providers shall be required to preserve information in accordance with such section 2258A(h) may be extended in 90-day increments on written request by the complainant or order of the Board. (I)

Non-disclosure

Except as otherwise provided in subsection (g)(19)(C), for 120 days following receipt of a notification under this subsection, a provider may not disclose the existence of the notification to any person or entity except to an attorney for purposes of obtaining legal advice, the Board, the Commission, a law enforcement agency described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of section 2258A(g)(3) of title 18, United States Code, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, or as necessary to respond to legal process. Nothing in the preceding sentence shall be construed to infringe on the provider’s ability to communicate general information about terms of service violations.(d)

Establishment of Child Online Protection Board

(1)

In general

There is established in the Federal Trade Commission a Child Online Protection Board, which shall administer and enforce the requirements of subsection (e) in accordance with this section.(2)

Officers and staff

The Board shall be composed of 3 full-time Child Online Protection Officers who shall be appointed by the Commission in accordance with paragraph (5)(A). A vacancy on the Board shall not impair the right of the remaining Child Online Protection Officers to exercise the functions and duties of the Board.(3)

Child online protection attorneys

Not fewer than 2 full-time Child Online Protection Attorneys shall be hired to assist in the administration of the Board. (4)

Technological adviser

One or more technological advisers may be hired to assist with the handling of digital evidence and consult with the Child Online Protection Officers on matters concerning digital evidence and technological issues.(5)

Qualifications

(A)

Officers

(i)

In general

Each Child Online Protection Officer shall be an attorney duly licensed in at least 1 United States jurisdiction who has not fewer than 7 years of legal experience concerning child sexual abuse material and technology-facilitated crimes against children.(ii)

Experience

Two of the Child Online Protection Officers shall have substantial experience in the evaluation, litigation, or adjudication of matters relating to child sexual abuse material or technology-facilitated crimes against children.(B)

Attorneys

Each Child Online Protection Attorney shall be an attorney duly licensed in at least 1 United States jurisdiction who has not fewer than 3 years of substantial legal experience concerning child sexual abuse material and technology-facilitated crimes against children.(C)

Technological adviser

A technological adviser shall have at least one year of specialized experience with digital forensic analysis. (6)

Compensation

(A)

Child Online Protection Officers

(i)

Definition

In this subparagraph, the term senior level employee of the Federal Government means an employee, other than an employee in the Senior Executive Service, the position of whom is classified above GS–15 of the General Schedule.(ii)

Pay range

Each Child Online Protection Officer shall be compensated at a rate of pay that is not less than the minimum, and not more than the maximum, rate of pay payable for senior level employees of the Federal Government, including locality pay, as applicable.(B)

Child Online Protection Attorneys

Each Child Online Protection Attorney shall be compensated at a rate of pay that is not more than the maximum rate of pay payable for level 10 of GS–15 of the General Schedule, including locality pay, as applicable.(C)

Technological adviser

A technological adviser of the Board shall be compensated at a rate of pay that is not more than the maximum rate of pay payable for level 10 of GS–14 of the General Schedule, including locality pay, as applicable. (7)

Vacancy

If a vacancy occurs in the position of Child Online Protection Officer, the Commission shall act expeditiously to appoint an Officer for that position.(8)

Sanction or removal

Subject to subsection (e)(2), the Chair of the Commission or the Commission may sanction or remove a Child Online Protection Officer.(9)

Administrative support

The Commission shall provide the Child Online Protection Officers and Child Online Protection Attorneys with necessary administrative support, including technological facilities, to carry out the duties of the Officers and Attorneys under this section. The Department of Justice may provide equipment for and guidance on the storage and handling of child sexual abuse material.(10)

Location of Board

The offices and facilities of the Child Online Protection Officers and Child Online Protection Attorneys shall be located at the headquarters or other office of the Commission. (e)

Authority and duties of the Board

(1)

Functions

(A)

Officers

Subject to the provisions of this section and applicable regulations, the functions of the Officers of the Board shall be as follows:(i)To render determinations on petitions that may be brought before the Officers under this section.(ii)To ensure that petitions and responses are properly asserted and otherwise appropriate for resolution by the Board.(iii)To manage the proceedings before the Officers and render determinations pertaining to the consideration of petitions and responses, including with respect to scheduling, discovery, evidentiary, and other matters.(iv)To request, from participants and nonparticipants in a proceeding, the production of information and documents relevant to the resolution of a petition or response.(v)To conduct hearings and conferences.(vi)To facilitate the settlement by the parties of petitions and responses.(vii)To impose fines as set forth in subsection (g)(24).(viii)To provide information to the public concerning the procedures and requirements of the Board.(ix)To maintain records of the proceedings before the Officers, certify official records of such proceedings as needed, and, as provided in subsection (g)(19)(A), make the records in such proceedings available to the public.(x)To carry out such other duties as are set forth in this section.(xi)When not engaged in performing the duties of the Officers set forth in this section, to perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Chair of the Commission or the Commission.(B)

Attorneys

Subject to the provisions of this section and applicable regulations, the functions of the Attorneys of the Board shall be as follows:(i)To provide assistance to the Officers of the Board in the administration of the duties of those Officers under this section.(ii)To provide assistance to complainants, providers, and members of the public with respect to the procedures and requirements of the Board.(iii)When not engaged in performing the duties of the Attorneys set forth in this section, to perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Commission.(C)

Designated service agents

The Board may maintain a publicly available directory of service agents designated to receive service of petitions filed with the Board.(2)

Independence in determinations

(A)

In general

The Board shall render the determinations of the Board in individual proceedings independently on the basis of the records in the proceedings before it and in accordance with the provisions of this section, judicial precedent, and applicable regulations of the Commission.(B)

Performance appraisals

Notwithstanding any other provision of law or any regulation or policy of the Commission, any performance appraisal of an Officer or Attorney of the Board may not consider the substantive result of any individual determination reached by the Board as a basis for appraisal except to the extent that result may relate to any actual or alleged violation of an ethical standard of conduct.(3)

Direction by Commission

Subject to paragraph (2), the Officers and Attorneys shall, in the administration of their duties, be under the supervision of the Chair of the Commission.(4)

Inconsistent duties barred

An Officer or Attorney of the Board may not undertake any duty that conflicts with the duties of the Officer or Attorney in connection with the Board, to include the obligation to render impartial determinations on petitions considered by the Board under this section. (5)

Recusal

An Officer or Attorney of the Board shall recuse himself or herself from participation in any proceeding with respect to which the Officer or Attorney, as the case may be, has reason to believe that he or she has a conflict of interest.(6)

Ex parte communications

Except as may otherwise be permitted by applicable law, any party or interested owner involved in a proceeding before the Board shall refrain from ex parte communications with the Officers of the Board and the Commission relevant to the merits of such proceeding before the Board.(7)

Judicial review

Actions of the Officers and the Commission under this section in connection with the rendering of any determination are subject to judicial review as provided under subsection (g)(28).(f)

Conduct of proceedings of the Board

(1)

In general

Proceedings of the Board shall be conducted in accordance with this section and regulations established by the Commission under this section, in addition to relevant principles of law.(2)

Record

The Board shall maintain records documenting the proceedings before the Board.(3)

Centralized process

Proceedings before the Board shall—(A)be conducted at the offices of the Board without the requirement of in-person appearances by parties or others;(B)take place by means of written submissions, hearings, and conferences carried out through internet-based applications and other telecommunications facilities, except that, in cases in which physical or other nontestimonial evidence material to a proceeding cannot be furnished to the Board through available telecommunications facilities, the Board may make alternative arrangements for the submission of such evidence that do not prejudice any party or interested owner; and(C)be conducted and concluded in an expeditious manner without causing undue prejudice to any party or interested owner.(4)

Representation

(A)

In general

A party or interested owner involved in a proceeding before the Board may be, but is not required to be, represented by—(i)an attorney; or(ii)a law student who is qualified under applicable law governing representation by law students of parties in legal proceedings and who provides such representation on a pro bono basis.(B)

Representation of victims

(i)

In general

A petition involving a victim under the age of 16 at the time the petition is filed shall be filed by an authorized representative, qualified organization, or a person described in subparagraph (A).(ii)

No requirement for qualified organizations to have contact with, or knowledge of, victim

A qualified organization may submit a notification to a provider or file a petition on behalf of a victim without regard to whether the qualified organization has contact with the victim or knows the identity, location, or contact information of the victim.(g)

Procedures To contest a failure To remove child sexual abuse material or a notification reporting child sexual abuse material

(1)

Procedure to contest a failure to remove

(A)

Complainant petition

A complainant may file a petition to the Board claiming that, as applicable—(i)the complainant submitted a complete notification to a provider concerning alleged child sexual abuse material, and that—(I)the provider— (aa)did not remove the alleged child sexual abuse material within the timeframe required under subsection (c)(1)(A)(i); or (bb)incorrectly claimed that—(AA)the alleged child sexual abuse material at issue could not be located or removed through reasonable means;(BB)the notification was incomplete; or(CC)the notification was duplicative under subsection (c)(2)(C)(i); and(II)did not file a timely petition to contest the notification with the Board under paragraph (2); or(ii)a provider is hosting alleged child sexual abuse material, does not have a designated reporting system, and the complainant was unable to serve a notification on the provider under this subsection despite reasonable efforts.(B)

Additional claim

As applicable, a petition filed under subparagraph (A) may also claim that the alleged child sexual abuse material at issue in the petition involves recidivist hosting. (C)

Timeframe

(i)

In general

A petition under this paragraph shall be considered timely if it is filed within 30 days of the applicable start date, as defined under clause (ii).(ii)

Applicable start date

For purposes of clause (i), the term applicable start date means—(I)in the case of a petition under subparagraph (A)(i) claiming that the alleged child sexual abuse material was not removed or that the provider made an incorrect claim relating to the alleged child sexual abuse material or notification, the day that the provider's option to file a petition has expired under paragraph (2)(B); and(II)in the case of a petition under subparagraph (A)(ii) related to a notification that could not be served, the last day of the 2-week period that begins on the day on which the complainant first attempted to serve a notification on the provider involved.(D)

Identification of victim

Any petition filed to the Board by the victim or an authorized representative of the victim shall include the victim’s legal name. A petition filed to the Board by a qualified organization may, but is not required to, include the victim's legal name. Any petition containing the victim’s legal name shall be filed under seal. The victim’s legal name shall be redacted from any documents served on the provider and interested owner or made publicly available. (E)

Failure to remove child sexual abuse material in timely manner

A complainant may file a petition under subparagraph (A)(i) claiming that alleged child sexual abuse material was not removed even if the alleged child sexual abuse material was removed prior to the petition being filed, so long as the petition claims that the alleged child sexual abuse material was not removed within the timeframe specified in subsection (c)(1).(2)

Procedure to contest a notification

(A)

Provider petition

If a provider receives a complete notification as described in subsection (c)(2) through its designated reporting system or in accordance with subsection (c)(2)(F)(i), the provider may file a petition to the Board claiming that the provider has a good faith belief that, as applicable—(i)the visual depiction that is the subject of the notification does not constitute child sexual abuse material;(ii)the notification is frivolous or was submitted with an intent to harass the provider or any person; (iii)the alleged child sexual abuse material cannot reasonably be located by the provider;(iv)for reasons beyond the control of the provider, the provider cannot remove the alleged child sexual abuse material using reasonable means; or(v)the notification was duplicative under subsection (c)(2)(C)(i).(B)

Timeframe

(i)

In general

Subject to clauses (ii) and (iii), a petition contesting a notification under this paragraph shall be considered timely if it is filed by a provider not later than 14 days after the day on which the provider receives the notification or the notification is made complete under subsection (c)(2)(D)(i).(ii)

No designated reporting system

Subject to clause (iii), if a provider does not have a designated reporting system, a petition contesting a notification under this paragraph shall be considered timely if it is filed by a provider not later than 7 days after the day on which the provider receives the notification or the notification is made complete under subsection (c)(2)(D)(i).(iii)

Small providers

In the case of a small provider, each of the timeframes applicable under clauses (i) and (ii) shall be increased by 48 hours.(3)

Commencement of proceeding

(A)

In general

In order to commence a proceeding under this section, a petitioning party shall, subject to such additional requirements as may be prescribed in regulations established by the Commission, file a petition with the Board, that includes a statement of claims and material facts in support of each claim in the petition. A petition may set forth more than one claim. A petition shall also include information establishing that it has been filed within the applicable timeframe.(B)

Review of petitions by Child Online Protection Attorneys

Child Online Protection Attorneys may review petitions to assess whether they are complete. The Board may permit a petitioning party to refile a defective petition. The Attorney may assist the petitioning party in making any corrections.(C)

Dismissal

The Board may dismiss, with or without prejudice, any petition that fails to comply with subparagraph (A). (4)

Service of process requirements for petitions

(A)

In general

For purposes of petitions under paragraphs (1) and (2), the petitioning party shall, at or before the time of filing a petition, serve a copy on the other party. A corporation, partnership, or unincorporated association that is subject to suit in courts of general jurisdiction under a common name shall be served by delivering a copy of the petition to its service agent, if one has been so designated. (B)

Manner of Service

(i)

Service by nondigital means

Service by nondigital means may be any of the following:(I)Personal, including delivery to a responsible person at the office of counsel.(II)By priority mail.(III)By third-party commercial carrier for delivery within 3 days.(ii)

Service by digital means

Service of a paper may be made by sending it by any digital means, including through a provider's designated reporting system.(iii)

When service is completed

Service by mail or by commercial carrier is complete 3 days after the mailing or delivery to the carrier. Service by digital means is complete on filing or sending, unless the party making service is notified that the paper was not received by the party served.(C)

Proof of service

A petition filed under paragraph (1) or (2) shall contain—(i)an acknowledgment of service by the person served;(ii)proof of service consisting of a statement by the person who made service certifying—(I)the date and manner of service;(II)the names of the persons served; and(III)their mail or electronic addresses, facsimile numbers, or the addresses of the places of delivery, as appropriate for the manner of service; or(iii)a statement indicating that service could not reasonably be completed. (D)

Attorney fees and costs

Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, all parties to a petition shall bear their own attorney fees and costs. (5)

Service of other documents

Documents submitted or relied upon in a proceeding, other than the petition, shall be served in accordance with regulations established by the Commission.(6)

Notification of right to opt out

In order to effectuate service on a responding party, the petition shall notify the responding party of their right to opt out of the proceeding before the Board, and the consequences of opting out and not opting out, including a prominent statement that by not opting out the respondent—(A)loses the opportunity to have the dispute decided by a court created under article III of the Constitution of the United States; and(B)waives the right to a jury trial regarding the dispute.(7)

Initial proceedings

(A)

Conference

Within 1 week of completion of service of a petition under paragraph (4), 1 or more Officers of the Board shall hold a conference to address the matters described in subparagraphs (B) and (C). (B)

Opt-out procedure

At the conference, an Officer of the Board shall explain that the responding party has a right to opt out of the proceeding before the Board, and describe the consequences of opting out and not opting out as described in paragraph (6). A responding party shall have a period of 30 days, beginning on the date of the conference, in which to provide written notice of such choice to the petitioning party and the Board. If the responding party does not submit an opt-out notice to the Board within that 30-day period, the proceeding shall be deemed an active proceeding and the responding party shall be bound by the determination in the proceeding. If the responding party opts out of the proceeding during that 30-day period, the proceeding shall be dismissed without prejudice.(C)

Disabling access

At the conference, except for petitions setting forth claims described in clauses (iii) and (iv) of paragraph (2)(A), an Officer of the Board shall order the provider involved to disable public and user access to the alleged child sexual abuse material at issue in the petition for the pendency of the proceeding, including judicial review as provided in subsection (g)(28), unless the Officer of the Board finds that—(i)it is likely that the Board will find that the petition is frivolous or was filed with an intent to harass any person;(ii)there is a probability that disabling public and user access to such alleged child sexual abuse material will cause irreparable harm;(iii)the balance of equities weighs in favor of preserving public and user access to the alleged child sexual abuse material; and(iv)disabling public and user access to the alleged child sexual abuse material is contrary to the public interest.(D)

Effect of failure to disable access

(i)

Provider petition

If the petition was filed by a provider, and the provider fails to comply with an order issued pursuant to subparagraph (B), the Board may—(I)dismiss the petition with prejudice; and(II)refer the matter to the Attorney General.(ii)

Effect of dismissal

If a provider’s petition is dismissed under clause (i)(I), the complainant may bring a petition under paragraph (1) as if the provider did not file a petition within the timeframe specified in paragraph (2)(B). For purposes of paragraph (1)(C)(ii), the applicable start date shall be the date the provider’s petition was dismissed.(iii)

Complainant petition

If the petition was filed by a complainant, and the provider fails to comply with an order issued pursuant to subparagraph (B), the Board—(I)shall—(aa)expedite resolution of the petition; and(bb)refer the matter to the Attorney General; and(II)may apply an adverse inference with respect to disputed facts against such provider. (8)

Scheduling

Upon receipt of a complete petition and at the conclusion of the opt out procedure described in paragraph (7), the Board shall issue a schedule for the future conduct of the proceeding. A schedule issued by the Board may be amended by the Board in the interests of justice.(9)

Conferences

One or more Officers of the Board may hold a conference to address case management or discovery issues in a proceeding, which shall be noted upon the record of the proceeding and may be recorded or transcribed.(10)

Party submissions

A proceeding of the Board may not include any formal motion practice, except that, subject to applicable regulations and procedures of the Board—(A)the parties to the proceeding and an interested owner may make requests to the Board to address case management and discovery matters, and submit responses thereto; and(B)the Board may request or permit parties and interested owners to make submissions addressing relevant questions of fact or law, or other matters, including matters raised sua sponte by the Officers of the Board, and offer responses thereto.(11)

Discovery

(A)

In general

Discovery in a proceeding shall be limited to the production of relevant information and documents, written interrogatories, and written requests for admission, as provided in regulations established by the Commission, except that—(i)upon the request of a party, and for good cause shown, the Board may approve additional relevant discovery, on a limited basis, in particular matters, and may request specific information and documents from parties in the proceeding, consistent with the interests of justice;(ii)upon the request of a party or interested owner, and for good cause shown, the Board may issue a protective order to limit the disclosure of documents or testimony that contain confidential information;(iii)after providing notice and an opportunity to respond, and upon good cause shown, the Board may apply an adverse inference with respect to disputed facts against a party or interested owner who has failed to timely provide discovery materials in response to a proper request for materials that could be relevant to such facts; and(iv)an interested owner shall only produce or receive discovery to the extent it relates to whether the visual depiction at issue constitutes child sexual abuse material.(B)

Privacy

Any alleged child sexual abuse material received by the Board or the Commission as part of a proceeding shall be filed under seal and shall remain in the care, custody, and control of the Board or the Commission. For purposes of discovery, the Board or Commission shall make the alleged child sexual abuse material reasonably available to the parties and interested owner but shall not provide copies. The privacy protections described in section 3509(d) of title 18, United States Code, shall apply to the Board, Commission, provider, complainant, and interested owner.(12)

Responses

The responding party may refute any of the claims or factual assertions made by the petitioning party, and may also claim that the petition was not filed in the applicable timeframe or is barred under subsection (h). If a complainant is the petitioning party, a provider may additionally claim in response that the notification was incomplete and could not be made complete under subsection (c)(2)(D)(i). The petitioning party may refute any responses submitted by the responding party.(13)

Interested owner

An individual notified under paragraph (19)(C)(ii) may, within 14 days of being so notified, file a motion to join the proceeding for the limited purpose of claiming that the visual depiction at issue does not constitute child sexual abuse material. The Board shall serve the motion on both parties. Such motion shall include a factual basis and a signed statement, submitted under penalty of perjury, indicating that the individual produced or created the visual depiction at issue. The Board shall dismiss any motion that does not include the signed statement or that was submitted by an individual who did not produce or create the visual depiction at issue. If the motion is granted, the interested owner may also claim that the notification and petition were filed with an intent to harass the interested owner. Any party may refute the claims and factual assertions made by the interested owner. (14)

Evidence

The Board may consider the following types of evidence in a proceeding, and such evidence may be admitted without application of formal rules of evidence:(A)Documentary and other nontestimonial evidence that is relevant to the petitions or responses in the proceeding.(B)Testimonial evidence, submitted under penalty of perjury in written form or in accordance with paragraph (15), limited to statements of the parties and nonexpert witnesses, that is relevant to the petitions or responses in a proceeding, except that, in exceptional cases, expert witness testimony or other types of testimony may be permitted by the Board for good cause shown.(15)

Hearings

Unless waived by all parties, the Board shall conduct a hearing to receive oral presentations on issues of fact or law from parties and witnesses to a proceeding, including oral testimony, subject to the following:(A)Any such hearing shall be attended by not fewer than two of the Officers of the Board.(B)The hearing shall be noted upon the record of the proceeding and, subject to subparagraph (C), may be recorded or transcribed as deemed necessary by the Board.(C)A recording or transcript of the hearing shall be made available to any Officer of the Board who is not in attendance.(16)

Voluntary dismissal

(A)

By petitioning party

Upon the written request of a petitioning party, the Board shall dismiss the petition, with or without prejudice.(B)

By responding party or interested owner

Upon written request of a responding party or interested owner, the Board shall dismiss any responses to the petition, and shall consider all claims and factual assertions in the petition to be true.(17)

Factual findings

Subject to paragraph (11)(A)(iii), the Board shall make factual findings based upon a preponderance of the evidence.(18)

Determinations

(A)

Nature and contents

A determination rendered by the Board in a proceeding shall—(i)be reached by a majority of the Board;(ii)be in writing, and include an explanation of the factual and legal basis of the determination; and(iii)include a clear statement of all fines, costs, and other relief awarded.(B)

Dissent

An Officer of the Board who dissents from a decision contained in a determination under subparagraph (A) may append a statement setting forth the grounds for that dissent.(19)

Publication and disclosure

(A)

Publication

Each final determination of the Board shall be made available on a publicly accessible website, except that the final determination shall be redacted to protect confidential information that is the subject of a protective order under paragraph (11)(A)(ii) or information protected pursuant to paragraph (11)(B) and any other information protected from public disclosure under the Federal Trade Commission Act or any other applicable provision of law.(B)

Freedom of information act

All information relating to proceedings of the Board under this section is exempt from disclosure to the public under section 552(b)(3) of title 5, except for determinations, records, and information published under subparagraph (A). Any information that is disclosed under this subparagraph shall have redacted any information that is the subject of a protective order under paragraph (11)(A)(ii) or protected pursuant to paragraph (11)(B).(C)

Effect of petition on non-disclosure period

(i)Submission of a petition extends the non-disclosure period under subsection (c)(2)(I) for the pendency of the proceeding. The provider may submit an objection to the Board that nondisclosure is contrary to the interests of justice. The complainant may, but is not required to, respond to the objection. The Board should sustain the objection unless there is reason to believe that the circumstances in section 3486(a)(6)(B) of title 18, United States Code, exist and outweigh the interests of justice. (ii)If the Board sustains an objection to the nondisclosure period, the provider or the Board may notify the apparent owner of the visual depiction at issue about the proceeding, and include instructions on how the owner may move to join the proceeding under paragraph (13).(iii)If applicable, the nondisclosure period expires 120 days after the Board’s determination becomes final, except it shall expire immediately upon the Board's determination becoming final if the Board finds that the visual depiction at issue is not child sexual abuse material.(iv)The interested owner of a visual depiction at issue may not bring any legal action against any party related to the alleged child sexual abuse material until the Board’s determination is final. Once the determination is final, the interested owner of the visual depiction may pursue any legal relief available under the law, subject to subsections (h), (k), and (l). (20)

Responding party’s default

If the Board finds that service of the petition on the responding party could not reasonably be completed, or the responding party has failed to appear or has ceased participating in a proceeding, as demonstrated by the responding party’s failure, without justifiable cause, to meet one or more deadlines or requirements set forth in the schedule adopted by the Board, the Board may enter a default determination, including the dismissal of any responses asserted by the responding party, as follows and in accordance with such other requirements as the Commission may establish by regulation: (A)The Board shall require the petitioning party to submit relevant evidence and other information in support of the petitioning party’s claims and, upon review of such evidence and any other requested submissions from the petitioning party, shall determine whether the materials so submitted are sufficient to support a finding in favor of the petitioning party under applicable law and, if so, the appropriate relief and damages, if any, to be awarded.(B)If the Board makes an affirmative determination under subparagraph (A), the Board shall prepare a proposed default determination, and shall provide written notice to the responding party at all addresses, including electronic mail addresses, reflected in the records of the proceeding before the Board, of the pendency of a default determination by the Board and of the legal significance of such determination. Such notice shall be accompanied by the proposed default determination and shall provide that the responding party has a period of 30 days, beginning on the date of the notice, to submit any evidence or other information in opposition to the proposed default determination.(C)If the responding party responds to the notice provided under subparagraph (B) within the 30-day period provided in such subparagraph, the Board shall consider responding party’s submissions and, after allowing the petitioning party to address such submissions, maintain, or amend its proposed determination as appropriate, and the resulting determination shall not be a default determination.(D)If the respondent fails to respond to the notice provided under subparagraph (B), the Board shall proceed to issue the default determination. Thereafter, the respondent may only challenge such determination to the extent permitted under paragraph (28).(21)

Petitioning party or interested owner’s failure to proceed

If a petitioning party or interested owner who has joined the proceeding fails to proceed, as demonstrated by the failure, without justifiable cause, to meet one or more deadlines or requirements set forth in the schedule adopted by the Board, the Board may, upon providing written notice to the petitioning party or interested owner and a period of 30 days, beginning on the date of the notice, to respond to the notice, and after considering any such response, issue a determination dismissing the claims made by the petitioning party or interested owner. The Board may order the petitioning party to pay attorney fees and costs under paragraph (26)(B), if appropriate. Thereafter, the petitioning party may only challenge such determination to the extent permitted under paragraph (28).(22)

Request for reconsideration

A party or interested owner may, within 30 days after the date on which the Board issues a determination under paragraph (18), submit to the Board a written request for reconsideration of, or an amendment to, such determination if the party or interested owner identifies a clear error of law or fact material to the outcome, or a technical mistake. After providing the other parties an opportunity to address such request, the Board shall either deny the request or issue an amended determination.(23)

Review by Commission

If the Board denies a party or interested owner a request for reconsideration of a determination under paragraph (22), the party or interested owner may, within 30 days after the date of such denial, request review of the determination by the Commission in accordance with regulations established by the Commission. After providing the other party or interested owner an opportunity to address the request, the Commission shall either deny the request for review, or remand the proceeding to the Board for reconsideration of issues specified in the remand and for issuance of an amended determination. Such amended determination shall not be subject to further consideration or review, other than under paragraph (28).(24)

Favorable ruling on complainant petition

(A)

In general

If the Board grants a complainant’s petition filed under this section, notwithstanding any other law, the Board shall—(i)order the provider to immediately remove the child sexual abuse material, and to permanently delete all copies of the child sexual abuse material known to and under the control of the provider unless the Board orders the provider to preserve the child sexual abuse material;(ii)impose a fine of $50,000 per item of child sexual abuse material covered by the determination, but if the Board finds that—(I)the provider removed the child sexual abuse material after the period set forth in subsection (c)(1)(A)(i), but before the complainant filed a petition, such fine shall be $25,000;(II)the provider has engaged in recidivist hosting for the first time with respect to the child sexual abuse material at issue, such fine shall be $100,000 per item of child sexual abuse material; or(III)the provider has engaged in recidivist hosting of the child sexual abuse material at issue 2 or more times, such fine shall be $200,000 per item of child sexual abuse material;(iii)order the provider to pay reasonable costs to the complainant; and(iv)refer any matters involving intentional or willful conduct by a provider with respect to child sexual abuse material, or recidivist hosting, to the Attorney General for prosecution under any applicable laws.(B)

Provider payment of fine and costs

Notwithstanding any other law, the Board shall direct a provider to promptly pay fines and costs imposed under subparagraph (A) as follows:(i)If the petition was filed by a victim, such fine and costs shall be paid to the victim.(ii)If the petition was filed by an authorized representative of a victim—(I)30 percent of such fine shall be paid to the authorized representative and 70 percent of such fine paid to the victim; and(II)costs shall be paid to the authorized representative.(iii)If the petition was filed by a qualified organization—(I)the fine shall be paid to the Child Pornography Victims Reserve as provided in section 2259B of title 18, United States Code; and(II)costs shall be paid to the qualified organization.(25)

Effect of denial of provider petition

(A)

In general

If the Board denies a provider’s petition to contest a notification filed under paragraph (2), it shall order the provider to immediately remove the child sexual abuse material, and to permanently delete all copies of the child sexual abuse material known to and under the control of the provider unless the Board orders the provider to preserve the child sexual abuse material.(B)

Referral for failure to remove material

If a provider does not remove and, if applicable, permanently delete child sexual abuse material within 48 hours of the Board issuing a determination under subparagraph (A), or not later than 2 business days of the Board issuing a determination under subparagraph (A) concerning a small provider, the Board shall refer the matter to the Attorney General for prosecution under any applicable laws.(C)

Costs for frivolous petition

If the Board finds that a provider filed a petition under paragraph (2) for a harassing or improper purpose or without reasonable basis in law or fact, the Board shall order the provider to pay the reasonable costs of the complainant.(26)

Effect of denial of complainant's petition or favorable ruling on provider's petition

(A)

Restoration

If the Board grants a provider’s petition filed under paragraph (2) or if the Board denies a petition filed by the complainant under paragraph (1), the provider may restore access to any visual depiction that was at issue in the proceeding.(B)

Costs for incomplete or frivolous notification and harassment

If, in granting or denying a petition as described in subparagraph (A), the Board finds that the notification contested in the petition could not be made complete under subsection (c)(2)(D), is frivolous, or is duplicative under subsection (c)(2)(C)(i), the Board may order the complainant to pay costs to the provider and any interested owner, which shall not exceed a total of $10,000, or, if the Board finds that the complainant filed the notification with an intent to harass the provider or any person, a total of $15,000.(27)

Civil action; other relief

(A)

In general

Whenever any provider or complainant fails to comply with a final determination of the Board issued under paragraph (18), the Department of Justice may commence a civil action in a district court of the United States to enforce compliance with such determination.(B)

Savings clause

Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the Commission or Department of Justice under any other provision of law.(28)

Challenges to the determination

(A)

Bases for challenge

Not later than 45 days after the date on which the Board issues a determination or amended determination in a proceeding, or not later than 45 days after the date on which the Board completes any process of reconsideration or the Commission completes a review of the determination, whichever occurs later, a party may seek an order from a district court, located where the provider or complainant conducts business or resides, vacating, modifying, or correcting the determination of the Board in the following cases:(i)If the determination was issued as a result of fraud, corruption, misrepresentation, or other misconduct.(ii)If the Board exceeded its authority or failed to render a determination concerning the subject matter at issue.(iii)In the case of a default determination or determination based on a failure to prosecute, if it is established that the default or failure was due to excusable neglect.(B)

Procedure to challenge

(i)

Notice of application

Notice of the application to challenge a determination of the Board shall be provided to all parties to the proceeding before the Board, in accordance with the procedures applicable to service of a motion in the court where the application is made.(ii)

Staying of proceedings

For purposes of an application under this paragraph, any judge who is authorized to issue an order to stay the proceedings in an any other action brought in the same court may issue an order, to be served with the notice of application, staying proceedings to enforce the award while the challenge is pending.(29)

Final determination

A determination of the Board shall be final on the date that all opportunities for a party or interested owner to seek reconsideration or review of a determination under paragraph (22) or (23), or for a party to challenge the determination under paragraph (28), have expired or are exhausted.(h)

Effect of proceeding

(1)

Subsequent proceedings

The issuance of a final determination by the Board shall preclude the filing by any party of any subsequent petition that is based on the notification at issue in the final determination. This paragraph shall not limit the ability of any party to file a subsequent petition based on any other notification.(2)

Determination

Except as provided in paragraph (1), the issuance of a final determination by the Board, including a default determination or determination based on a failure to prosecute, shall preclude relitigation of any allegation, factual claim, or response in any subsequent legal action or proceeding before any court, tribunal, or the Board, and may be relied upon for such purpose in a future action or proceeding arising from the same specific activity, subject to the following:(A)No party or interested owner may relitigate any allegation, factual claim, or response that was properly asserted and considered by the Board in any subsequent proceeding before the Board involving the same parties or interested owner and the same child sexual abuse material.(B)A finding by the Board that a visual depiction constitutes child sexual abuse material—(i)may not be relitigated in any civil proceeding brought by an interested owner; and(ii)may not be relied upon, and shall not have preclusive effect, in any other action or proceeding involving any party before any court or tribunal other than the Board.(C)A determination by the Board shall not preclude litigation or relitigation as between the same or different parties before any court or tribunal other than the Board of the same or similar issues of fact or law in connection with allegations or responses not asserted or not finally determined by the Board.(D)Except to the extent permitted under this subsection, any final determination of the Board may not be cited or relied upon as legal precedent in any other action or proceeding before any court or tribunal other than the Board. (3)

Other materials in proceeding

A submission or statement of a party, interested owner, or witness made in connection with a proceeding before the Board, including a proceeding that is dismissed, may not serve as the basis of any action or proceeding before any court or tribunal except for any legal action related to perjury or for conduct described in subsection (k)(2). A statement of a party, interested owner, or witness may be received as evidence, in accordance with applicable rules, in any subsequent legal action or proceeding before any court, tribunal, or the Board. (4)

Failure to assert response

Except as provided in paragraph (1), the failure or inability to assert any allegation, factual claim, or response in a proceeding before the Board shall not preclude the assertion of that response in any subsequent legal action or proceeding before any court, tribunal, or the Board. (i)

Administration

The Commission may issue regulations in accordance with section 553 of title 5, United States Code, to implement this section. (j)

Study

(1)

In general

Not later than 3 years after the date on which Child Online Protection Board issues the first determination under this section, the Commission shall conduct, and report to Congress on, a study that addresses the following:(A)The use and efficacy of the Child Online Protection Board in expediting the removal of child sexual abuse material and resolving disputes concerning alleged child sexual abuse material, including the number of proceedings the Child Online Protection Board could reasonably administer with current allocated resources.(B)Whether adjustments to the authority of the Child Online Protection Board are necessary or advisable, including with respect to permissible claims, responses, fines, costs, and joinder by interested parties.(C)Whether the Child Online Protection Board should be permitted to expire, be extended, or be expanded.(D)Such other matters as the Commission believes may be pertinent concerning the Child Online Protection Board. (2)

Consultation

In conducting the study and completing the report required under paragraph (1), the Commission shall, to the extent feasible, consult with complainants, victims, and providers to include their views on the matters addressed in the study and report.(k)

Limited liability

(1)

In general

Except as provided in paragraph (2), a civil claim or criminal charge against the Board, a provider, a complainant, interested owner, or representative under subsection (f)(4), for distributing, receiving, accessing, or possessing child sexual abuse material for the sole and exclusive purpose of complying with the requirements of this section, or for the sole and exclusive purpose of seeking or providing legal advice in order to comply with this section, may not be brought in any Federal or State court. (2)

Intentional, reckless, or other misconduct

Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a claim against the Board, a provider, a complainant, interested owner, or representative under subsection (f)(4)—(A)for any conduct unrelated to compliance with the requirements of this section;(B)if the Board, provider, complainant, interested owner, or representative under subsection (f)(4) (as applicable)—(i)engaged in intentional misconduct; or(ii)acted, or failed to act—(I)with actual malice; or(II)with reckless disregard to a substantial risk of causing physical injury without legal justification; or(C)in the case of a claim against a complainant, if the complainant falsely claims to be a victim, an authorized representative of a victim, or a qualified organization.(3)

Minimizing access

The Board, a provider, a complainant, an interested owner, or a representative under subsection (f)(4) shall— (A)minimize the number of individuals that are provided access to any alleged, contested, or actual child sexual abuse material under this section;(B)ensure that any alleged, contested, or actual child sexual abuse material is transmitted and stored in a secure manner and is not distributed to or accessed by any individual other than as needed to implement this section; and(C)ensure that all copies of any child sexual abuse material are permanently deleted upon a request from the Board, Commission, or the Federal Bureau of Investigation.(l)

Provider immunity from claims based on removal of visual depiction

A provider shall not be liable to any person for any claim based on the provider’s good faith removal of any visual depiction that is alleged to be child sexual abuse material pursuant to a notification under this section, regardless of whether the visual depiction involved is found to be child sexual abuse material by the Board. A provider shall not be liable to any person for any claim based on the provider’s good faith discretionary removal of any alleged related exploitive visual depictions pursuant to a notification under this section. (m)

Continued applicability of Federal, State, and Tribal law

(1)

In general

This section shall not be construed to impair, supersede, or limit a provision of Federal, State, or Tribal law.(2)

No preemption

Nothing in this section shall prohibit a State or Tribal government from adopting and enforcing a provision of law governing child sex abuse material that is at least as protective of the rights of a victim as this section.(n)

Discovery

Nothing in this section affects discovery, a subpoena or any other court order, or any other judicial process otherwise in accordance with Federal or State law.(o)

Rule of construction

Nothing in this section shall be construed to relieve a provider from any obligation imposed on the provider under section 2258A of title 18, United States Code.(p)

Funding

There are authorized to be appropriated to pay the costs incurred by the Commission under this section, including the costs of establishing and maintaining the Board and its facilities, $40,000,000 for each year during the period that begins with the year in which this Act is enacted and ends with the year in which certain subsections of this section expire under subsection (q).(q)

Sunset

Except for subsections (a), (h), (k), (l), (m), (n), (o), and (r), this section shall expire 5 years after the date on which the Child Online Protection Board issues its first determination under this section. (r)

Definitions

In this section:(1)

Board

The term Board means the Child Online Protection Board established under subsection (d).(2)

Child sexual abuse material

The term child sexual abuse material has the meaning provided in section 2256(8) of title 18, United States Code.(3)

Commission

The term Commission means the Federal Trade Commission.(4)

Complainant

The term complainant means—(A)the victim appearing in the child sexual abuse material;(B)an authorized representative of the victim appearing in the child sexual abuse material; or(C)a qualified organization.(5)

Designated reporting system

The term designated reporting system means a digital means of submitting a notification to a provider under this subsection that is publicly and prominently available, easily accessible, and easy to use.(6)

Host

The term host means to store or make a visual depiction available or accessible to the public or any users through digital means or on a system or network controlled or operated by or for a provider.(7)

Identifiable person

The term identifiable person means a person who is recognizable as an actual person by the person’s face, likeness, or other distinguishing characteristic, such as a unique birthmark or other recognizable feature.(8)

Interested owner

The term interested owner means an individual who has joined a proceeding before the Board under subsection (g)(13). (9)

Party

The term party means the complainant or provider.(10)

Provider

The term provider means a provider of an interactive computer service, as that term is defined in section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 230), and for purposes of subsections (k) and (l), includes any director, officer, employee, or agent of such provider.(11)

Qualified organization

The term qualified organization means an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that is exempt from tax under section 501(a) of that Code that works to address child sexual abuse material and to support victims of child sexual abuse material.(12)

Recidivist hosting

The term recidivist hosting means, with respect to a provider, that the provider removes child sexual abuse material pursuant to a notification or determination under this subsection, and then subsequently hosts a visual depiction that has the same hash value or other technical identifier as the child sexual abuse material that had been so removed.(13)

Related exploitive visual depiction

The term related exploitive visual depiction means a visual depiction of an identifiable person of any age where—(A)such visual depiction does not constitute child sexual abuse material, but is published with child sexual abuse material depicting that person while under 18 years of age; and(B)there is a connection between such visual depiction and the child sexual abuse material depicting that person while under 18 years of age that is readily apparent from— (i)the content of such visual depiction and the child sexual abuse material; or(ii)the context in which such visual depiction and the child sexual abuse material appear.(14)

Small provider

The term small provider means a provider that, for the most recent calendar year, averaged less than 10,000,000 active users on a monthly basis in the United States. (15)

Victim

(A)

In general

The term victim means an individual of any age who is depicted in child sexual abuse material while under 18 years of age.(B)

Assumption of rights

In the case of a victim who is under 18 years of age, incompetent, incapacitated, or deceased, the legal guardian of the victim or representative of the victim's estate, another family member, or any other person appointed as suitable by a court, may assume the victim's rights to submit a notification or file a petition under this section, but in no event shall an individual who produced or conspired to produce the child sexual abuse material depicting the victim be named as such representative or guardian.(16)

Visual depiction

The term visual depiction has the meaning provided in section 2256(5) of title 18, United States Code.

Severability

If any provision of this Act, an amendment made by this Act, or the application of such provision or amendment to any person or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act and the amendments made by this Act, and the application of the provision or amendment to any other person or circumstance, shall not be affected.