H.R. 1274: PROTECT Our Children Reauthorization Act of 2025 (119th Congress) Bill Summary

This bill is titled the PROTECT Our Children Reauthorization Act of 2025 and is intended to reauthorize and amend the existing PROTECT Our Children Act of 2008. Here’s what the bill would do in simple terms:

1. National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction

The bill directs the establishment of a National Strategy to prevent and combat child exploitation. This includes:

Updating the strategy to be revised every four years instead of every two years.
Analyzing current and future trends in child exploitation, considering factors such as new technologies.
Setting specific goals for preventing exploitation and interdicting these crimes, which involve coordinating with various governmental and judicial bodies, making legislative recommendations, and engaging with the private sector.
Assessing federal efforts to combat exploitation, including the effectiveness of training and prosecution activities.
Providing an estimate of needed resources to address child exploitation effectively.
Reviewing the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program (ICAC), which includes evaluating task force operations, resources, and interagency collaboration.

2. Establishment of National ICAC Task Force Program

The bill seeks to formalize the ICAC Task Force Program with several amendments:

Inclusion of support for Tribal and military law enforcement in the program.
Shifting from consultation to evaluating task forces for operational effectiveness.
Granting limited liability to task forces for civil claims or criminal charges arising from their prioritization decisions, except in cases of intentional misconduct.

3. Purpose and Functions of Task Forces

The purpose of the ICAC task forces will be expanded to include prioritizing investigations that are likely to rescue children and to educate the judicial system about specific features of internet-related child exploitation.

4. Grant Program for ICAC

The bill designates a specific percentage of funds for supporting the ICAC Task Force Program through grants aimed at:

Training and technical support for task force members.
Developing and maintaining technology to assist in combating child exploitation.
Conducting research and supporting annual training events.

5. Authorization of Appropriations

Funding amounts specified for the program will be increased over the specified fiscal years:

$70 million for fiscal year 2026.
$80 million for fiscal year 2027.
$90 million for fiscal year 2028.

6. Reporting Requirements

There will be updated requirements for reporting from service providers regarding child exploitation, ensuring all relevant data is included in reports made under the law.

7. Amendments to Existing Law

The bill amends various sections of the original act to reflect the changes in strategy, funding, and responsibilities for law enforcement agencies in addressing child exploitation.