Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 2258D: Limited liability for NCMEC

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

This statute provides immunity from civil and criminal lawsuits against the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and its personnel for actions taken in performing child-protection duties, with limited exceptions for intentional misconduct or acts unrelated to those duties.

Read the full statutory text
Pursuant to its clearinghouse role as a private, nonprofit organization and its mission to help find missing children, reduce online sexual exploitation of children and prevent future victimization, and except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), a civil claim or criminal charge against NCMEC, including any director, officer, employee, or agent of NCMEC, arising from the performance of the CyberTipline responsibilities or functions of NCMEC, as described in this section, section 2258A or 2258C of this title, or section 404 of the Missing Children’s Assistance Act ( 34 U.S.C. 11293 ), or from the efforts of NCMEC to identify child victims may not be brought in any Federal or State court. engaged in intentional misconduct; or with actual malice; with reckless disregard to a substantial risk of causing injury without legal justification; or for a purpose unrelated to the performance of any responsibility or function under this section, section 2258A or 2258C of this title, or section 404 of the Missing Children’s Assistance Act ( 34 U.S.C. 11293 ). Subsection (a) shall not apply to an act or omission relating to an ordinary business activity, including general administration or operations, the use of motor vehicles, or personnel management. minimize the number of employees that are provided access to any visual depiction provided under section 2258A; and ensure that any such visual depiction is permanently destroyed upon notification from a law enforcement agency.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.