H.R. 3537 — Targeting Child Predators Act of 2025

This section revises administrative subpoena provisions under 18 U.S.C. §3486(a)—which authorize federal officials to compel production of records relevant to specified criminal investigations (e.g., international terrorism, human trafficking)—as follows: (1) replaces references to the Secretary of the Treasury with the Secretary of Homeland Security; (2) strikes "ordered by a court" from paragraph (5); and (3) modifies nondisclosure requirements in paragraph (6) to generally preserve existing rules but authorize, for subpoenas described in paragraph (1)(A)(i)(II), a 180-day nondisclosure period if accompanied by the issuing official's certification of risks including endangering life or physical safety, flight from prosecution, destruction or tampering with evidence, intimidation of witnesses, or serious jeopardy to an investigation. New subparagraph (D)(ii) permits limited disclosures by recipients to persons necessary for compliance, attorneys for legal advice, or others as authorized (with recipients subject to the same nondisclosure rules, notice requirements, and reporting to the issuing official of disclosees); subparagraph (D)(iii) provides for judicial review under 18 U.S.C. §3486A, with notice thereof required in the subpoena; and subparagraph (D)(iv) allows extensions of the nondisclosure period per §3486A(a)(4).

This section establishes a judicial review process in new 18 U.S.C. 3486A for nondisclosure requirements imposed with subpoenas under 18 U.S.C. 3486 (i.e., subpoenas issued by the Attorney General or designated officials for records relevant to authorized investigations of foreign intelligence activities, international terrorism, or related criminal offenses). It authorizes subpoena recipients to notify the government or petition specified district courts for review; requires the government to apply within 30 days for a nondisclosure order, supported by a certification that disclosure may endanger life or physical safety, cause flight from prosecution, lead to evidence destruction or tampering, intimidate witnesses, or otherwise jeopardize an investigation; and directs courts to issue or extend such orders—including for additional periods of 180 days or longer—if there is reason to believe those harms may result. (Thus, nondisclosure requirements remain in effect during proceedings.) All proceedings are closed and sealed as necessary to prevent unauthorized disclosure of the subpoena.