Tampa, Florida : KinderGard Baby Safety today announced support of H.R. 5082, the Revising Existing Procedures On Reporting via Technology (REPORT) Act to help end the online exploitation of children. The original cosponsors of the bipartisan bill include Congresswoman Laurel Lee (R-FL), Reps. Susie Lee (D-NV-03), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-01), and Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04).
“Today, more and more children are using technology which has unfortunately made them vulnerable to exploitation by online predators. The REPORT Act will help fight against the exploitation of children online by strengthening existing reporting procedures and requiring companies to disclose crimes involving child sexual abuse to NCMEC,” said Rep. Laurel Lee. “I am proud to champion this bipartisan legislation that will help law enforcement quickly identify and prosecute perpetrators to protect our children from threats online.”
The bipartisan bill would provide much needed reforms to the CyberTipline, such as:
Adding sex trafficking of children and enticement crimes to reporting obligations by websites and social media platforms
Increasing penalties for failure to report exploitative content (fines up to $850,000)
Requires websites and social media platforms to report violations of federal trafficking and enticement
Increases the time evidence that has been submitted to the CyberTipline is preserved by websites and social media platforms to give law enforcement more time to investigate and prosecute.
Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA) And Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced the REPORT Act in the Senate.
“As the CEO of Kindergard, an organization dedicated to the well-being and safety of children, I wholeheartedly endorse H.R. 5082, the REPORT Act. Protecting our children from online exploitation is not just a responsibility, but a moral imperative. This legislation takes a crucial step towards creating a safer digital environment for our youngest generation. By revising existing procedures on reporting via technology, we can empower platforms, law enforcement, and caregivers to more effectively combat online threats and ensure that our children can explore the digital world without fear. Let us unite in support of this important bill and work towards a future where every child can thrive, both online and offline.” – David Happe, KinderGard CEO