A proposal from a Florida congressman targeting child predators is gaining steam on Capitol Hill.
On Wednesday, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee passed the “Targeting Child Predators Act” from U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla. The proposal would make Internet Service Providers (ISP) delay informing possible online child predators of any law enforcement inquiries for six months.
“Law enforcement can often obtain the IP address of a suspected child predator and then subpoena Internet Service Providers for the user information attached to the IP address,” DeSantis’ office noted. “ISPs may then inform the user of the law enforcement inquiry, enabling suspected child predators to wipe clean their accounts and delete potential evidence. The Targeting Child Predators Act would amend 18 USC Section 3486, requiring that ISPs, in the very specific case of child exploitation, wait 180 days prior to disclosing to a specific user that their information was requested by law enforcement.”
After the committee passed the bill, DeSantis made his case for it as it now heads to the House floor.
“As a former prosecutor, I know firsthand just how valuable electronic evidence can be to target predators and protect our children ” DeSantis said. “The Targeting Child Predators Act will prevent suspects from destroying evidence and covering their tracks, giving law enforcement the tools they need to better investigate these heinous crimes. This is a sensible reform that aims to better protect our children from exploitation online and I hope this bill is taken up by the full House as soon as possible”
The bill has reeled in five cosponsors including Republican U.S. Reps. Trent Franks of Arizona, James Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin and Lamar Smith of Texas. So far, there is no Senate counterpart yet.
A similar proposal is making its way through the Legislature in Tallahassee, backed by Sen. Greg Steube, R-Sarastoa, and Rep. Shawn Harrison, R-Tampa.
