WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

S. 3023 · 119th Congress

Safe Cloud Storage Act

Passed SenateCrime and Law Enforcement
IntroducedOct 21, 2025
Passed SenateMay 20, 2026
Passed HouseNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed Senate. Latest step, May 21, 2026: Held at the desk.

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., remote or 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 (Passed Senate, May 20, 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. May 21, 2026Held at the desk.House floor actions
  2. May 21, 2026Received in the House.House floor actions
  3. May 21, 2026Message on Senate action sent to the House.Senate
  4. May 20, 2026Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S2427-2428)Senate
  5. May 20, 2026Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.Library of Congress
  6. May 20, 2026The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.Senate
  7. May 20, 2026Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2426-2428)Senate
  8. Feb 24, 2026Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 345.Senate
  9. Feb 24, 2026Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.Senate
  10. Feb 24, 2026Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.Library of Congress
  11. Feb 5, 2026Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.Senate
  12. Oct 21, 2025Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.Senate
  13. Oct 21, 2025Introduced in SenateLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

Cosponsors

  • Richard Blumenthal D-CT
  • Katie Boyd Britt R-AL
  • Christopher A. Coons D-DE
  • John Cornyn R-TX
  • Amy Klobuchar D-MN
  • Mike Lee R-UT
  • Ashley Moody R-FL
  • Raphael G. Warnock D-GA
  • Ron Wyden D-OR