Senate
PresidentNo users have recorded support or opposition for this bill yet. Be the first.
Summary Provided by Congressional Research Service
Combating Online Predators Act of 2025 or the COP Act of 2025
This bill establishes new federal criminal offenses for threatening to distribute a visual depiction of a minor (or person believed to be a minor) engaging in sexually explicit conduct with the intent that the minor (or person believed to be a minor) create or transmit a visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct. (This practice is commonly referred to as sextortion.) The bill also prohibits attempts and conspiracies to commit the offenses.
Latest available text
1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the "Combating Online Predators Act" or the "COP Act".
2. Prohibiting threats to a minor
(a) Material involving the sexual exploitation of minors - Section 2252A of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)—
(A) in paragraph (6), by striking "illegal; or" and inserting "illegal;";
(B) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; or"; and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following:
(8) knowingly distributes, offers, sends, or provides, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, a threat to distribute—
(A) a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct, or
(B) a visual depiction of a person the defendant believes is a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct, with the intent that the minor, or the person the defendant believes is a minor, create or transmit a visual depiction of any minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct,
(2) in subsection (b), by striking "or (6)" and inserting "(6), or (8)".
(b) Material constituting or containing child pornography - Section 2252 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)—
(A) in paragraph (3)(B)(ii), by striking "or" at the end;
(B) in paragraph (4)(B)(ii), by inserting "or" after the semicolon; and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
(5) knowingly distributes, offers, sends, or provides, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, a threat to distribute—
(A) a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct, or
(B) a visual depiction of a person the defendant believes is a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct, with the intent that the minor, or the person the defendant believes is a minor, create or transmit a visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct,
(2) in subsection (b)(2), by inserting "or (5)" after "paragraph (4)"; and
(3) in subsection (c), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting "or (5)" after "paragraph (4)".Passed the House of Representatives January 12, 2026.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.