Sponsors (10)
The bill expands federal criminal authority and penalties to better protect minors from interstate coercion and abuse, but at the cost of greater federalization of youth cases, legal vagueness that can broaden prosecutorial power, and increased taxpayer and federal system burdens.
Children and youth are better protected because coercing a minor via mail or interstate commerce to self-harm, perform sexual acts, or other abusive acts is made a federal crime and carries substantially higher penalties (including up to 20 years for serious bodily injury and up to life if death results).
Federal prosecutors and law enforcement gain clearer authority to pursue offenders across state lines, improving coordination, cross-jurisdictional investigations, and the likelihood of successful prosecution.
Children and youth who are defendants or involved in related cases may be shifted into federal juvenile or adult jurisdiction, exposing them to harsher federal sentencing frameworks and changing rehabilitation and procedural protections.
Vaguely worded provisions (e.g., 'manipulation' or 'abusive or degrading nonsexual conduct') create legal uncertainty and could expand prosecutorial discretion, risking uneven enforcement and possible over-criminalization of borderline conduct.
Expanding federal jurisdiction will increase federal caseloads and prosecution costs, shifting expenses from state to federal systems and imposing higher costs on taxpayers and federal agencies.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a federal crime for intentionally compelling a minor via interstate means to self-harm, commit animal crushing, abusive nonsexual acts, or sexually explicit conduct, with penalties up to life.
Creates a new federal crime for intentionally compelling a minor, by mail or any interstate/foreign commerce channel (including online), or within federal jurisdiction, to engage in self-harm (including suicide/attempted suicide), animal crushing, abusive or degrading nonsexual conduct that could be criminal, or sexually explicit conduct. The bill defines “compel” to include threats, extortion, blackmail, fraud, deceit, or manipulation and prescribes penalties: up to 10 years imprisonment (and fines); up to 20 years if serious bodily injury results; and any term of years or life if death results. It also updates juvenile delinquency jurisdiction language to include the new offense.
Official title: Coercion and Sexual Abuse Free Environment Act
Introduced December 16, 2025 by Andrew S. Biggs · Last progress January 13, 2026