WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 7834 · 119th Congress

Safe Cloud Storage Act

Passed HouseCrime and Law Enforcement
IntroducedMar 5, 2026
Passed HouseSep 16, 2026
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Sep 17, 2026: Received in the Senate.

What it does

Sourced

Safe Cloud Storage Act

This bill limits the civil and criminal liability of vendors that contract with law enforcement agencies to provide digital storage services (e.g., cloud-based storage) for storing, maintaining, and processing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in investigations of online child sexual exploitation.

Under current law, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) receives reports of online child sexual exploitation via its CyberTipline, evaluates and prioritizes the reports, and refers the reports to law enforcement agencies to investigate. Currently, federal law limits the liability of vendors that contract directly with the NCMEC to store and transfer CSAM. However, federal law does not limit the liability of vendors that contract with law enforcement agencies to assist in investigations.

This bill establishes liability protections for vendors that contract with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to store, maintain, and process CSAM in investigations of online child sexual exploitation. Specifically, the bill prohibits a civil claim or criminal charge in federal or state court against such a vendor, so long as the vendor has not engaged in intentional misconduct or negligent conduct, acted with malice or reckless disregard, or acted for a purpose unrelated to its contractual duties.

The bill requires vendors to comply with cybersecurity requirements for CSAM that is stored, maintained, or processed. The bill also requires vendors to comply with storage requirements for CSAM that is retained as evidence.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Reported to House, Sep 8, 2026).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. Sep 17, 2026Received in the Senate.Senate
  2. Sep 16, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  3. Sep 16, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5936-5937)House floor actions
  4. Sep 16, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.Library of Congress
  5. Sep 16, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7834.House floor actions
  6. Sep 16, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5936-5938)House floor actions
  7. Sep 16, 2026Ms. Lee (FL) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.House floor actions
  8. Sep 8, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 703.House floor actions
  9. Sep 8, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-804.House floor actions
  10. Sep 8, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-804.Library of Congress
  11. Jul 15, 2026Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 0.House committee actions
  12. Jul 15, 2026Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  13. Mar 5, 2026Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.House floor actions
  14. Mar 5, 2026Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  15. Mar 5, 2026Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

Cosponsors

  • Steve Cohen D-TN-9
  • Madeleine Dean D-PA-4
  • Harriet M. Hageman R-WY-At Large
  • Brad Knott R-NC-13
  • John J. McGuire III R-VA-5