Federal kidnapping law now covers tricking or deceiving someone to obtain a child, not just using force. Attempted sexual abuse of minors carries the same penalties as completed abuse. A child under 16 can no longer be said to have 'consented' unless the accused proves they reasonably believed the child was at least 16.
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Strengthening Child Exploitation Enforcement Act is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Latest action on H.R. 2735: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Who this affects: This bill primarily affects children who are victims of kidnapping and sexual abuse, federal prosecutors who handle these cases, and people accused of these crimes. It also impacts the federal prison system where the new touching offense applies, and potentially shifts some cases from state to federal courts.
Why this matters: Current federal law has gaps that can let child predators avoid serious charges. Someone who tricks a family to obtain a child might not face federal kidnapping charges because the law only covered force. A child's supposed 'consent' could be used as a defense even when the victim was very young. This bill closes those gaps and gives federal law enforcement stronger tools to protect children from exploitation.
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