Signed by President Donald Trump

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits websites that promote prostitution or facilitate sex trafficking.

Highlights:

• Amends section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA) to authorize civil action against websites for participating in the promotion or facilitation of prostitution (Sec. 3).

• Prohibits using or facilitating an interactive computer service, website, or any means of interstate or foreign commerce for the prostitution of an individual (Sec. 3).

• Defines an interactive computer service as any entity that is responsible, in whole or in part, for the promotion or facilitation of information or content including educational institutions, libraries, computer systems, software companies, and internet service providers (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that an individual or entity found in violation will be subject to a fine and up to 10 years in prison (Sec. 3).

• Requires a greater fine and up to 25 years in prison for any violation involving prostitution of 5 or more individuals or “reckless disregard” to the fact that the conduct contributed to sex trafficking (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes a defendant to assert, as an affirmative defense, that the facilitation or promotion of prostitution is legal in the jurisdiction where it was targeted (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes victims to recover damages and attorneys’ fees (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits websites that promote prostitution or facilitate sex trafficking.

Highlights:

• Amends section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA) to authorize civil action against websites for participating in the promotion or facilitation of prostitution (Sec. 3).

• Prohibits using or facilitating an interactive computer service, website, or any means of interstate or foreign commerce for the prostitution of an individual (Sec. 3).

• Defines an interactive computer service as any entity that is responsible, in whole or in part, for the promotion or facilitation of information or content including educational institutions, libraries, computer systems, software companies, and internet service providers (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that an individual or entity found in violation will be subject to a fine and up to 10 years in prison (Sec. 3).

• Requires a greater fine and up to 25 years in prison for any violation involving prostitution of 5 or more individuals or “reckless disregard” to the fact that the conduct contributed to sex trafficking (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes a defendant to assert, as an affirmative defense, that the facilitation or promotion of prostitution is legal in the jurisdiction where it was targeted (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes victims to recover damages and attorneys’ fees (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text