WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04) and Congressman Troy Nehls (R-TX-22) introduced the Strengthening Child Exploitation Enforcement Act, which would allow law enforcement to better prosecute kidnapping and child sexual abuse cases. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and John Coryn (R-TX) introduced a companion bill in the Senate.
“As lawmakers, we have the solemn duty of protecting our nation’s children from kidnapping and sexual exploitation,” Rep. Dean said. “Yet under current law, there are loopholes that allow bad actors to evade prosecution. This legislation clarifies and strengthens federal law to ensure offenders are held accountable. I’m grateful to Congressman Nehls, Senator Booker, and Senator Cornyn for their partnership to ensure our kids are kept safe."
“As a father to three daughters and a former Texas Sheriff, I firmly believe that any existing loopholes in United States federal law that allow child predators to escape justice should be closed immediately,” Congressman Nehls said. “The abuse of a child in any form is completely unacceptable. I am proud to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers of Congress in introducing legislation that will allow law enforcement and the justice system to hold those who abuse our children, here in our own country and abroad, accountable.”
The Strengthening Child Exploitation Enforcement Act strengthens protections for children by:
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Closing the kidnapping loophole in 18 U.S.C. § 1201, clarifying that kidnapping of a child can occur by deceiving a third party, including a child’s guardian.
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Closing the international travel loopholes in 18 U.S.C. § 2241(c) and 18 U.S.C. § 2423, clarifying that traveling to sexually abuse a child includes crossing international lines and that committing a sexual abuse felony against a child while abroad is a crime.
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Closing the sexual contact loophole in 18 U.S.C. § 2443, clarifying that causing a child to commit a sexual act themselves is also a crime.
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Closing the attempt loophole in 18 U.S.C. § 2244, clarifying that attempting to commit the sexual contact offenses in Section 2244 is also a crime.
By closing these loopholes, our federal laws will more precisely define existing kidnapping and child sexual abuse criminal offenses, enabling law enforcement to better hold abusers accountable and keep our children safe.
This legislation is supported by the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA), the Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), Rights4Girls, National District Attorneys Association (NDAA). Hope for Justice, Street Grace, the 3Strands Global Foundation, and the National Children’s Alliance (NCA).
Rep. Madeleine Dean is a mother, grandmother, attorney, professor, former four-term member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and U.S. Representative for the Fourth District of Pennsylvania.
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