H.R.1203 - Stop Victimizers and Offenders from Yielding Explicit Unconsented Recordings Surreptitiously Act of 2025; Stop VOYEURS Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 1203, the Stop VOYEURS Act of 2025, aims to amend Title 18 of the United States Code to broaden the prohibition against video voyeurism. The bill expands the scope of the law by removing the requirement that the offense occur within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. It also increases the maximum imprisonment term from one year to five years.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would significantly expand federal jurisdiction over video voyeurism offenses. It would allow federal prosecution of such crimes even if they do not occur within federal territory, provided there is a connection to interstate or foreign commerce. The increased penalty aims to deter such behavior.
Potential Benefits
- Increased Protection: Expands protection against video voyeurism by broadening the scope of prohibited conduct.
- Deterrence: Higher penalties (up to 5 years imprisonment) may deter potential offenders.
- Federal Jurisdiction: Establishes federal jurisdiction over a wider range of cases involving interstate commerce.
- Victim Empowerment: Provides legal recourse for victims of video voyeurism, regardless of where the crime occurs.
- Modernization: Updates the law to address modern technological advancements and their use in voyeuristic activities.
Potential Disadvantages
- Federal Overreach: Could potentially lead to federal overreach into matters traditionally handled by state and local law enforcement.
- Increased Caseload: May increase the caseload of federal courts and law enforcement agencies.
- Vagueness: The broad definition of "affecting interstate or foreign commerce" could lead to ambiguity and inconsistent application.
- Potential for Abuse: The expanded scope could be subject to abuse or misinterpretation.
- Duplication of Efforts: May duplicate existing state laws addressing similar conduct.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's expansion of federal jurisdiction relies on the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce. The bill asserts that video voyeurism can affect interstate commerce through travel, communication, and financial transactions. The constitutionality of this expansion would depend on whether the courts agree that the activities regulated have a substantial effect on interstate commerce.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).