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HR 579 101th Congress House Crime and Law Enforcement Child abuse Child molesting Civil actions and liability Criminal justice information Data banks Kidnapping Limitation of actions Murder Organized crime Sentences (Criminal procedure) Sex crimes Witnesses

Child Protection Act of 1989

Introduced: January 20, 1989 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 101st Congress ended
It never became law before the 101st Congress (1989–1990) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 6, 1989
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.
Jan 20, 1989
Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.
Jan 20, 1989
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Child Protection Act of 1989 - Amends the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statute to extend its coverage to the sexual exploitation of children. Allows any person injured personally or in his business or property by such violations to bring a civil suit for treble damages.

Amends the Federal criminal code to require a mandatory life sentence in kidnapping offenses involving the murder of a minor. Establishes mandatory minimum sentences for the sexual exploitation of minors.

Provides that the period of any applicable limitation for the commencement of prosecution for certain offenses involving the sexual exploitation of children shall not begin until the child has reached the age of 18 years.

Directs the Attorney General to submit a report to the Congress detailing possible changes in the Federal Rules of Evidence, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and other procedures which would facilitate the participation of child witnesses in cases involving child abuse and sexual exploitation.

Directs the Attorney General to modify the classification system used by the National Crime Information System and the Federal Bureau of Investigation with respect to offenses involving the sexual exploitation of children by: (1) including the age of the victim and the relationship of the victim to the offender; and (2) using a uniform definition of a child.

What's happening now June 6, 1989

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 579: Child Protection Act of 1989. 101st Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-579/
MLA
"H.R. 579: Child Protection Act of 1989." 101st Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-579/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 579, 101st Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-579/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 579: Child Protection Act of 1989](https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-579/)
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