Overview

Title

To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the importation or transportation of child sex dolls, and for other purposes.

ELI5 AI

H.R. 1186 is a plan to stop people from bringing in or moving around dolls that look like kids and are meant for adult activities. The goal is to make sure everyone understands that these dolls are not allowed because they could lead to bad behavior.

Summary AI

H. R. 1186 aims to amend title 18 of the United States Code to make it illegal to import or transport child sex dolls. The bill, also known as the "CREEPER Act 2.0," highlights concerns about how these dolls and robots can resemble children, potentially lead to harmful behavior, and normalize inappropriate relationships. It outlines findings that the dolls contribute to the risk of sexual abuse and exploitation of minors. The bill proposes fines and imprisonment for those who buy, sell, or possess these dolls, especially with intent to distribute them across state or international borders.

Published

2025-02-11
Congress: 119
Session: 1
Chamber: HOUSE
Status: Introduced in House
Date: 2025-02-11
Package ID: BILLS-119hr1186ih

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:
5
Words:
765
Pages:
4
Sentences:
23

Language

Nouns: 214
Verbs: 63
Adjectives: 27
Adverbs: 8
Numbers: 34
Entities: 46

Complexity

Average Token Length:
3.79
Average Sentence Length:
33.26
Token Entropy:
4.82
Readability (ARI):
16.28

AnalysisAI

General Summary of the Bill

The proposed legislation, known as H.R. 1186 or the "Curbing Realistic Exploitative Electronic Pedophilic Robots Act 2.0" (CREEPER Act 2.0), aims to amend Title 18 of the United States Code. Its primary objective is to prohibit the importation, transportation, and trafficking of child sex dolls within the United States. These items are defined as anatomically correct dolls, mannequins, or robots that resemble minors and are intended for sexual acts. The bill outlines specific penalties for those who violate these regulations, including fines and the possibility of imprisonment.

Summary of Significant Issues

The bill raises several significant issues, primarily concerning the definitions and justifications it uses to address the highlighted concerns:

  1. Lack of Evidence or Data: The bill mentions correlations between the use of child sex dolls and harmful behaviors like child pornography and abuse, asserting that these dolls can lead to crimes such as rape. However, it lacks empirical evidence or data to substantiate these claims, which could be problematic for justifying such legislative measures.

  2. Ambiguity in Definitions: The term "child sex doll" is defined in a way that may lead to legal ambiguity. The phrase "features that resemble those of a minor" is subjective, and the manner in which the intent of use for sexual acts is determined lacks clarity. This could lead to challenges in legal interpretation and enforcement.

  3. Implementation and Enforcement Unclear: The bill does not make clear how the law will be enforced, or which government agency will be responsible for overseeing compliance and prosecuting violations. This omission leaves questions about the practical application of the law.

  4. Language Complexity: The language used, both in the title and within Section 2, might be challenging for the general public to comprehend due to its technical and complex nature. This could hinder understanding and engagement from the broader public.

Impact on the Public

Broadly speaking, the bill aims to combat what is perceived as a moral and social issue by prohibiting items viewed as promoting or normalizing harmful behaviors. If successful, it could contribute to societal efforts to protect minors. However, without evidence-backed claims, the bill risks misrepresenting the issue and may be seen as more of a moral stance rather than a practical solution.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

Positive Impact:

  • Advocacy Groups: Organizations advocating for child protection may view this bill as a positive step toward safeguarding children and addressing issues related to the sexual exploitation of minors.

  • Law Enforcement: The bill could offer a clearer legal framework for law enforcement when addressing the trafficking and possession of illicit items.

Negative Impact:

  • Legal System: The ambiguity in definitions and enforcement may introduce challenges for prosecutors and defense attorneys, potentially leading to complex legal battles over interpretation.

  • Manufacturers and Sellers: Overseas or domestic entities involved in the manufacturing or selling of such items could face legal and financial repercussions, even in cases of unintentional non-compliance due to ambiguous definitions.

In conclusion, while H.R. 1186 seeks to address a critical social issue, it requires additional refinement in its definitions, evidence base, and execution strategy to ensure a clearer, more enforceable, and ethically sound approach.

Issues

  • The claims made in Section 2, such as correlations with child pornography and the assertion that dolls lead to rape or normalize sex between adults and minors, are serious and lack evidence or data to support them, potentially making them legally and ethically problematic when used to justify legislative measures.

  • The definition of 'child sex doll' in Section 3 is ambiguous, particularly regarding what constitutes 'features that resemble those of a minor' and how 'intended for use in sexual acts' is determined, which could lead to legal challenges and enforcement difficulties.

  • Section 2's use of terms like 'intrinsically related', 'cause', and 'normalize', without clear proof or explanation of causation, could lead to misinterpretation and controversy, especially given the gravity of the topic.

  • Section 4 does not specify which entity will be responsible for enforcement or prosecution of the stated offenses, leaving ambiguity about how the law will be implemented and ensuring compliance.

  • The penalties for trafficking in 'child sex dolls' are clear in Section 4, but the absence of penalties or consequences in related sections (such as for possessing with intent) creates inconsistency and potential legal loopholes.

  • The language and terms used in the bill, especially in the title and Section 2, may be difficult for the general public to understand due to their technical nature, potentially hindering public discourse and understanding of the bill.

  • Section 2 asserts that dolls and robots simulate rape and pose psychological risks but provides no metrics or references to back these claims, reducing credibility and raising ethical considerations about the portrayal of such relationships.

Sections

Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.

1. Short title Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The section gives the short title of the act, which can be referred to as the “Curbing Realistic Exploitative Electronic Pedophilic Robots Act 2.0” or simply the “CREEPER Act 2.0.”

2. Findings Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The section outlines Congress's concerns about the connection between obscene dolls and robots and harmful activities such as child pornography and abuse. It highlights how these objects may simulate harmful behavior and normalize inappropriate relationships, potentially leading to the exploitation and abuse of minors.

3. Prohibition of importation or trans­por­ta­tion of child sex dolls Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The section amends United States Code to prohibit the importation or transportation of child sex dolls, defined as anatomically correct dolls, mannequins, or robots that look like minors and are intended for sexual use.

4. Trafficking in child sex dolls Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The document introduces a legal amendment making it illegal to buy, sell, deliver, or distribute child sex dolls across state or international borders. Those found guilty of possessing or trafficking these dolls can face fines and imprisonment, with penalties increasing for subsequent offenses.

1471. Trafficking in child sex dolls Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

Whoever is caught buying, selling, delivering, or possessing child sex dolls between states or countries, or possessing them with the intention to do any of these actions, is breaking the law.