Committee backs bill criminalizing coercion that forces minors into self-harm or violent acts

Representative Biggs (Arizona) introduced H.R. 6732, the Coercion and [***] Abuse Free Environment Act, saying violent online networks are methodically targeting minors and sometimes encouraging self-harm and cruelty. "These violent groups, often known as gore groups ... use social media or other popular platforms ... to elicit private information or [explicit] images from minors and then use that material to blackmail victims into mutilating themselves," Biggs said.

Supporters described the bill as a response to networks that coax minors into extreme self-harm or violence; Biggs cited an FBI video and said the agency has hundreds of active investigations into connected groups. Ranking Member (name not provided) said he supports the goal but warned that rushed drafting could raise constitutional vagueness concerns, pointing to an undefined statutory phrase he called "overly broad spongy terms." He urged clarifying language to avoid due-process challenges.

Procedure: Representative Biggs offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute described as a non-substantive short-title change; it was adopted, and the committee ordered the bill to be reported favorably to the House with staff authorized to make technical conforming edits.

Next steps: The committee advanced H.R. 6732 to the House; sponsors and the ranking member signaled interest in further drafting work to ensure enforceability and constitutional soundness.