Press Releases

Congressman Russell Fry (SC-07) Introduces the Targeting Child Predators Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Russell Fry (SC-07) reintroduced the Targeting Child Predators Act, a critical piece of legislation aimed at strengthening law enforcement's ability to investigate and prosecute online child exploitation.

Under current law, when officials identify a suspected child predator through an IP address, they can issue a subpoena to the Internet Service Provider (ISP) to obtain the name and account information tied to that address. While ISPs typically comply with these subpoenas, they sometimes alert the targeted user, who, in these cases, are suspected child predators.

This early notification can have devastating consequences and allow suspects to tamper with evidence, flee prosecution, intimidate witnesses, and jeopardize investigations before charges can be filed.

The Targeting Child Predators Act would give law enforcement the ability to request a temporary nondisclosure order that is valid for up to 180 days, preventing ISPs from alerting suspects while investigators build their case. 

This specific authority would apply only in cases of suspected child exploitation. In addition, law enforcement must certify that, if the Internet Service Provider disclosed the information request to the targeted suspect, that disclosure could enable suspects and result in:

1. Endangering the life or physical safety of an individual

2. Flight from prosecution

3. Destruction of or tampering with evidence

4. Intimidation of potential witnesses or

5. Seriously jeopardizing an investigation

The bill does not expand what type of evidence law enforcement can collect and ensures all subpoenas remain subject to judicial review.

“We must ensure that child predators are brought to justice, and not tipped off by the systems that are meant to hold them accountable,” said Congressman Fry. “The Targeting Child Predators Act strikes a balance between protecting due process and giving law enforcement the tools they need to stop online exploitation before it’s too late. This legislation is a vital step toward protecting our children and ensuring investigators have the ability to act swiftly and effectively.”

The Targeting Child Predators Act is supported by South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, Child Rescue Coalition, RAVEN, Major County Sheriffs of America, and the National Fraternal Order of Police.

“The Targeting Child Predators Act gives law enforcement additional tools to ensure investigations can move swiftly and securely without giving child predators an opportunity to delete valuable evidence,” said South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson. “I support this legislation and commend Congressman Fry for his leadership in standing up for the safety of our children.”

"The TCPA will streamline data access for law enforcement in child exploitation cases, without compromising their investigations, or repeatedly burdening the Judiciary, enabling quicker investigations to protect and rescue victims from online predators,” said the Child Rescue Coalition.

“This bill is a commonsense step to help law enforcement move faster in child exploitation investigations,” said RAVEN Director of Legislative Affairs Jennifer Dunton. “By removing the extra step of seeking a court order just to delay user notification, we’re eliminating a procedural bottleneck that can cost investigators critical time. When children’s safety is on the line, we need to prioritize speed, discretion, and effectiveness — this bill does exactly that.”

“MCSA commends Congressman Fry for introducing the Targeting Child Predators Act,” said Major County Sheriffs of America Executive Director Megan Noland. “If those who target and exploit children are tipped off when a criminal investigation is underway, they can destroy evidence and complicate efforts to bring them to justice. This bill helps minimize that risk and improves our ability to hold offenders accountable. We encourage Congress to act on this important legislation.” 

Congressman Fry serves on both the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. To stay up to date with Congressman Fry and his work for the Seventh District, follow his official Facebook, Instagram, and X pages and visit his website at fry.house.gov.