Intimate visual depiction
A defined depiction of a recognizable adult engaged in covered nudity or sexually explicit conduct.
Pending legislation — not current federal law.The provisions described as part of this bill would take effect only if enacted.
About The SHIELD Act
Legislative history, scope, definitions, and the relationship between this measure and existing federal law.
Purpose and legal framework
The SHIELD acronym has been used for other federal and state legislative proposals. This resource concerns H.R.1218 in the 119th Congress: the Stopping Harmful Image Exploitation and Limiting Distribution Act of 2025.
Its proposed criminal framework overlaps with, but is not identical to, the criminal provisions of the enacted TAKE IT DOWN Act.
Current status
StatusIntroduced in House
H.R.1218 was introduced February 11, 2025 · It has not become law
The word “Act” is part of the bill’s short title; it does not mean that the measure has been enacted.
Key definitions
Visual depiction of a nude minor
A covered depiction of a recognizable person who was under 18 when the image was created, as specifically defined in the bill.
Consent
The proposal makes clear that consent to creation of a depiction does not itself prove consent to distribution.
Legislative history
- February 11, 2025H.R.1218 is introduced in the House.
- February 11, 2025The bill is referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025–2026Additional House cosponsors join the proposal.
- Current statusNo chamber has passed the bill.