EARN IT Act of 2022

12/30/2022, 4:19 AM

Eliminating Abusive and Rampant Neglect of Interactive Technologies Act of 2022 or the EARN IT Act of 2022

This bill revises the federal framework governing the prevention of online sexual exploitation of children.

The bill establishes the National Commission on Online Child Sexual Exploitation Prevention. The commission must develop best practices for interactive computer services providers (e.g., Facebook and Twitter) to prevent, reduce, and respond to the online sexual exploitation of children.

Additionally, the bill limits the liability protections of interactive computer service providers with respect to claims alleging violations of child sexual exploitation laws.

The bill replaces various statutory references to child pornography and material that contains child pornography with child sexual abuse material.

Finally, the bill makes changes to the reporting requirements for electronic communication service providers and remote computing service providers (providers) who report apparent instances of crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Among the changes, the bill requires providers to report facts and circumstances sufficient to identify and locate each minor and each involved individual. The bill also increases the amount of time that providers must preserve the contents of a report.

The EARN IT Act of 2022, also known as Bill 117 hr 6544, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of combating online child sexual exploitation. The bill seeks to establish a National Commission on Online Child Exploitation Prevention, which would be responsible for developing best practices for online platforms to prevent the spread of child sexual abuse material.

Under the EARN IT Act, online platforms would be required to adhere to these best practices in order to maintain their liability protections under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. This provision is intended to hold online platforms accountable for their role in facilitating the spread of child sexual abuse material.

The bill also includes provisions aimed at increasing resources for law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute cases of online child sexual exploitation. This includes funding for training programs and technology upgrades to help law enforcement agencies better combat this type of crime. Overall, the EARN IT Act of 2022 is a bipartisan effort to address the serious issue of online child sexual exploitation and hold online platforms accountable for their role in combating this crime.
Congress
117

Number
HR - 6544

Introduced on
2022-02-01

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

2/1/2022

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Eliminating Abusive and Rampant Neglect of Interactive Technologies Act of 2022 or the EARN IT Act of 2022

This bill revises the federal framework governing the prevention of online sexual exploitation of children.

The bill establishes the National Commission on Online Child Sexual Exploitation Prevention. The commission must develop best practices for interactive computer services providers (e.g., Facebook and Twitter) to prevent, reduce, and respond to the online sexual exploitation of children.

Additionally, the bill limits the liability protections of interactive computer service providers with respect to claims alleging violations of child sexual exploitation laws.

The bill replaces various statutory references to child pornography and material that contains child pornography with child sexual abuse material.

Finally, the bill makes changes to the reporting requirements for electronic communication service providers and remote computing service providers (providers) who report apparent instances of crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Among the changes, the bill requires providers to report facts and circumstances sufficient to identify and locate each minor and each involved individual. The bill also increases the amount of time that providers must preserve the contents of a report.

The EARN IT Act of 2022, also known as Bill 117 hr 6544, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of combating online child sexual exploitation. The bill seeks to establish a National Commission on Online Child Exploitation Prevention, which would be responsible for developing best practices for online platforms to prevent the spread of child sexual abuse material.

Under the EARN IT Act, online platforms would be required to adhere to these best practices in order to maintain their liability protections under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. This provision is intended to hold online platforms accountable for their role in facilitating the spread of child sexual abuse material.

The bill also includes provisions aimed at increasing resources for law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute cases of online child sexual exploitation. This includes funding for training programs and technology upgrades to help law enforcement agencies better combat this type of crime. Overall, the EARN IT Act of 2022 is a bipartisan effort to address the serious issue of online child sexual exploitation and hold online platforms accountable for their role in combating this crime.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo establish a National Commission on Online Child Sexual Exploitation Prevention, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Crime and Law Enforcement

Potential Impact
Assault and harassment offenses•
Child safety and welfare•
Civil actions and liability•
Crime prevention•
Crime victims•
Crimes against children•
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation•
Criminal justice information and records•
Evidence and witnesses•
Government information and archives•
Human trafficking•
Intergovernmental relations•
Internet, web applications, social media•
Pornography•
Sex offenses

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary2/10/2022

Eliminating Abusive and Rampant Neglect of Interactive Technologies Act of 2022 or the EARN IT Act of 2022

This bill revises the federal framework governing the prevention of online sexual exploitation of children.

...


Latest Action2/2/2022
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.