Preventing Child Sex Abuse Act of 2023
12/15/2023, 3:53 PMSummary of Bill HR 454
Bill 118 hr 454, also known as the Preventing Child Sex Abuse Act of 2023, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to strengthen protections for children and prevent instances of child sexual abuse.The bill includes several key provisions aimed at achieving this goal. One of the main provisions is the establishment of a national registry for individuals convicted of child sex offenses. This registry would make it easier for law enforcement agencies to track and monitor individuals who have been convicted of these crimes, and help prevent them from having access to children in the future.
Additionally, the bill includes measures to improve training for professionals who work with children, such as teachers, social workers, and healthcare providers. This training would focus on recognizing the signs of child sexual abuse and how to appropriately respond to suspicions or reports of abuse. Another important aspect of the bill is the provision of funding for programs and initiatives aimed at preventing child sexual abuse. This funding would support efforts to educate the public about the issue, provide support services for victims, and improve the investigation and prosecution of child sex offenders. Overall, the Preventing Child Sex Abuse Act of 2023 is a comprehensive piece of legislation that seeks to address the serious issue of child sexual abuse in the United States. By implementing these measures, the bill aims to better protect children and hold offenders accountable for their actions.
Congressional Summary of HR 454
Preventing Child Sex Abuse Act of 2023
This bill makes changes to the federal law prohibiting child sexual tourism.
First, the bill revises the specific intent required for certain offenses involving interstate or foreign travel to engage in or facilitate illicit sexual conduct. Specifically, this bill requires the government to prove that an individual traveled (or facilitated travel) with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct (currently, with a motivating purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct). Further, it specifies that the term intent is to be construed as any intention to engage in illicit sexual conduct at the time of the travel.
Second, the bill establishes new criminal offenses for acts in furtherance of illicit sexual conduct by an officer, director, employee, or agent of an organization through his or her connection to or affiliation with the organization. A violation is subject to a fine, a prison term of up to 30 years, or both.
Finally, the bill specifies that the term sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense does not require interpersonal physical contact.
