Senate Passes Strengthening Child Exploitation Enforcement Act to Expand Kidnapping Definitions
People who committed offenses involving deception-based kidnapping or sexual contact with minors — even before this law was enacted — face new or expanded criminal liability. The retroactive application of the interstate travel provision and the expanded definitions mean individuals who previously may not have been prosecutable under federal law could now face serious federal charges and longer sentences.
“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.”
Held at the desk.
Received in the House.
The House has received the Senate-passed bill and will decide whether to take it up.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S6843-6844)
The Senate voted to approve this bill. If the House already passed it, it goes to the President.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
The Senate voted to approve this bill. If the House already passed it, it goes to the President.
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
The Strengthening Child Exploitation Enforcement Act aims to close loopholes in federal law, including clarifying that kidnapping can occur through deception and restricting the use of consent as a defense for crimes against victims under 16.
Bipartisan lawmakers reintroduced legislation to close technical loopholes in child sexual abuse statutes. The bill updates the definition of kidnapping to include 'deception' and ensures that attempts to commit sexual contact offenses carry the same penalties as completed acts.
The Senate approved the Strengthening Child Exploitation Enforcement Act to close loopholes that make kidnapping and sexual abuse harder to prosecute. The bill aims to empower law enforcement to better combat crimes in the digital era and on a broader scale.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Strengthening Child Exploitation Enforcement Act
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