Congress·In Committee·H.R. 2735

Rep. Nehls Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Close Loopholes in Child Exploitation and Kidnapping Laws

Strengthening Child Exploitation Enforcement Act

12 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

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Key Points

The bill expands the federal kidnapping statute to cover cases where a person is obtained through deception or fraud, not just physical force. This closes a loophole that predators exploit when they use "grooming" or trickery to lure children away from safety.
From policy text
“by inserting ``obtains by defrauding or deceiving any person,'' after ``abducts,''”
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For victims under 16, the bill eliminates the defense that the child consented to the offender's conduct, unless the offender can prove they reasonably believed the victim was at least 16. This makes it much harder for defendants to escape accountability by blaming young victims.
From policy text
“For an offense described in this subsection involving a victim who has not attained the age of 16 years, it is not a defense that the victim consented to the conduct of the offender, unless the offender can establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the offender reasonably believed that the victim had attained the age of 16 years.”
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A new federal crime is created for intentional sexual touching of a person under 16 in federal facilities, federal prisons, or on federal land. Attempting these crimes carries the same penalties as completing them.
From policy text
“to knowingly cause the intentional touching, not through the clothing, of the genitalia of any person by a person who has not attained the age of 16 years, with an intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, degrade, or arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person, or attempt to do so”
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The bill updates the jurisdictional language for federal sexual abuse charges so prosecutors can pursue offenders who travel "in interstate or foreign commerce" — which can include using the internet or phone apps — rather than requiring proof of physically crossing a state line.
Notably, the amendment to the interstate commerce provision applies retroactively to conduct that occurred before the bill's enactment, allowing prosecutors to bring charges for past offenses that fell through jurisdictional cracks.
From policy text
“The amendment to section 2241(c) of title 18, United States Code, made by subsection (a) shall apply to conduct that occurred before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act.”
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Criminal JusticeCivil Rights

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Apr 8, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Apr 8, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Upon enactment

If enacted, new federal crimes and expanded definitions take effect immediately

Federal prosecutors gain new tools to charge offenders who use deception to kidnap children, who sexually touch minors under 16 in federal facilities, or who attempt these crimes. The retroactive provision on interstate commerce applies to past conduct as well.

Related News

2 articles

KSAT·over 1 year ago

Senators Cornyn, Booker introduce bill to help law enforcement better prosecute child abusers

The Strengthening Child Exploitation Enforcement Act would close loopholes in existing criminal child sexual abuse cases. Key provisions include clarifying that kidnapping can occur by deceiving a third party and removing consent as a defense for victims under 16.

Texas Border Business·3 months ago

Cornyn Marks 2025 Legislative Wins

Senator John Cornyn highlighted the Strengthening Child Exploitation Enforcement Act as a key legislative achievement of 2025. The bill aims to close loopholes in child sexual abuse statutes to help law enforcement better prosecute offenders and protect victims.

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