S. 1401: Targeting Child Predators Act of 2025

The Targeting Child Predators Act of 2025 aims to strengthen federal law enforcement's ability to combat child exploitation and abuse by amending existing regulations regarding administrative subpoenas. Below is a summary of the main provisions in the bill:

1. Change of Authority

The bill specifies that the authority for issuing nondisclosure requirements related to certain administrative subpoenas will transfer from the Secretary of the Treasury to the Secretary of Homeland Security.

2. Nondisclosure Requirements

The legislation introduces standardized nondisclosure requirements for recipients of specific subpoenas. These requirements include:

• Recipients of a subpoena may not disclose that a federal official has sought or obtained access to information for a period of 180 days.
• This prohibition on disclosure aims to protect the integrity of investigations, with certifications needed to justify the need for nondisclosure based on potential risks, such as:
  • Endangerment of individual safety
  • Flight from prosecution
  • Destruction or tampering with evidence
  • Witness intimidation
  • Serious jeopardization of the investigation

3. Disclosure Exceptions

Under this bill, there are exceptions to the nondisclosure requirements. Recipients may share information with:

• Individuals necessary to comply with the subpoena
• Attorneys for legal advice
• Others permitted by the federal official who issued the subpoena

Anyone receiving such disclosed information will also be subject to the same nondisclosure requirements.

4. Judicial Review Process

The bill establishes a formal process for judicial review of the nondisclosure requirements. This includes:

• Recipients can petition the court for review of the nondisclosure requirements imposed by the subpoena.
• The federal government is required to respond to these petitions expeditiously.
• The courts are mandated to consider whether the nondisclosure could lead to adverse outcomes, such as harm to individual safety or compromising the investigation.

5. Extensions of Nondisclosure Periods

Additionally, the bill allows for the potential extension of nondisclosure requirements beyond the initial 180 days if the court determines that the conditions necessitating nondisclosure still apply.

6. Sealing of Hearings and Documents

To further protect sensitive information, the bill mandates that any legal hearings related to the subpoenas, as well as associated documents, be kept sealed unless necessary to allow a contempt proceeding to be open.

Relevant Companies

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