RESPECT Act

The RESPECT Act (H.R. 4600) would amend the Communications Act of 1934 to raise federal penalties for the intentional disclosure or sharing of nonconsensual intimate visual depictions, often referred to as “revenge porn.” Specifically, the bill modifies Section 223(h) to increase maximum prison terms for certain offenses. The increases target different categories of wrongdoing within the statute, with larger gains for more serious or aggravated conduct. The stated aim is to strengthen federal consequences and deter the distribution of intimate images without a person’s consent. In short, the bill changes sentencing ranges to sterner penalties for the intentional sharing of explicit images without consent, expanding the federal response to this form of exploitation.