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HR 2974 104th Congress House Crime and Law Enforcement Assault Burglary Child abuse Child molesting Crimes against the elderly Disabled Environmental Protection Environmental law enforcement Families Firearms Fugitives from justice Homicide Interstate commerce Jurisdiction Lasers Law Law enforcement officers Life imprisonment Mentally handicapped

James Guelff Body Armor Act of 1996

Introduced: February 27, 1996 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 104th Congress ended
It never became law before the 104th Congress (1995–1996) 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 26 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 14, 1996
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
May 8, 1996
Received in the Senate.
May 7, 1996
The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 2974.
May 7, 1996
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate.
May 7, 1996
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
May 7, 1996
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 414 - 4 (Roll no. 148).
May 7, 1996
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
May 7, 1996
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
May 7, 1996
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2974.
May 7, 1996
The Speaker designated the Honorable Steven C. LaTourette to act as Chairman of the Committee.
May 7, 1996
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 421 and Rule XXIII.
May 7, 1996
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2974 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Providing for consideration of the bill in the Committee of the Whole. Bill is open to amendments. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill. The resolution makes in order a specific amendment, consisting of the text of H.R. 3180 (Amber Hagerman Child Protection Act of 1996), and waives points of order against the amendment for failure to comply with clause 7 of rule XVI.
May 7, 1996
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 421. (consideration: CR H4467-4493)
May 7, 1996
Rule H. Res. 421 passed House.
May 2, 1996
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 421 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2974 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Providing for consideration of the bill in the Committee of the Whole. Bill is open to amendments. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill. The resolution makes in order a specific amendment, consisting of the text of H. R. 3180 (Amber Hagerman Child Protection Act of 1996), and waives points of order against the amendment for failure to comply with clause 7 of rule XVI.
May 1, 1996
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 265.
May 1, 1996
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 104-548.
Apr 24, 1996
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Apr 24, 1996
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 21, 1996
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Mar 21, 1996
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 7, 1996
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Mar 7, 1996
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1778)
Mar 4, 1996
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.
Feb 27, 1996
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Feb 27, 1996
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
May 7, 1996 House · vote #148 On Passage Passed 414–4 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 10

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

6 agreed to 2 failed 2 pending / other

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 1,014 — An amendment to delete the provisions in the bill requiring increased sentences for violent crimes against ch… Failed May 7, 1996
HAMDT 1,013 — An amendment to include as a definition of "vulnerable crime victim," any person who resides in a neighborhoo… Failed May 7, 1996
HAMDT 1,012 DeLauro, Rosa L. An amendment to increase penalties for persons who commit crimes against children or the elderly while in pos… Agreed to May 7, 1996
HAMDT 1,011 — An amendment to add increased penalties for wearing body armour during the commission of a federal crime, as … Agreed to May 7, 1996
HAMDT 1,010 — An amendment to add to the definitions of violent crimes specified in the bill, crimes of violence involving … Agreed to May 7, 1996
HAMDT 1,009 — An amendment to include environmental crimes as among those crimes to be subject to enhanced penalties in the… Pending May 7, 1996
HAMDT 1,008 — An amendment to include crimes involving fraud or deception against the elderly as among those crimes to be s… Pending May 7, 1996
HAMDT 1,007 — An amendment to increase the penalties provided in the bill for the second sex offense against a child from 5… Agreed to May 7, 1996
HAMDT 1,006 — An amendment to increase federal jurisdiction over repeat offenders of rape or serious sexual assault. The am… Agreed to May 7, 1996
HAMDT 1,005 — An amendment made in order by the rule, to increase federal jurisdiction over and increase penalties for sex … Agreed to May 7, 1996
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Crimes Against Children and Elderly Persons Increased Punishment Act - Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to direct the United States Sentencing Commission to amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide a sentencing enhancement of not less than: (1) five levels above the offense level otherwise provided for a crime of violence, including crimes of violence involving the environment, if such crime is against a child, elderly person, or other vulnerable person; or (2) six levels above if the crime is also a sex crime against a child.

Amber Hagerman Child Protection Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal criminal code to apply prohibitions and penalties for aggravated sexual abuse of a person under age 12 and for sexual abuse of a person between the ages of 12 and 16 to any person who: (1) crosses a State line with intent to engage in a sexual act with such minor; or (2) knowingly engages, or attempts to engage, in such an act in interstate or foreign commerce. Directs that a defendant previously convicted of another Federal offense of sexual abuse or aggravated sexual abuse of a minor or of a State offense that would have been such an offense had it occurred in a Federal prison be sentenced to life imprisonment, unless the death penalty is imposed.

(Sec. 5) Requires imposition of life imprisonment upon anyone who violates provisions regarding aggravated sexual abuse (or engages in conduct that would be a violation of such provisions if the offense had occurred in the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States) after previously having been convicted of another State or Federal sexual abuse offense (or conduct which would have been such an offense if the offense had occurred in such jurisdiction) if: (1) such conduct occurs in interstate or foreign commerce; (2) the defendant crossed a State line with intent to engage in the conduct; or (3) the defendant fled prosecution of such offense.

(Sec. 6) James Guelff Body Armor Act of 1996 - Directs the Commission to amend sentencing guidelines to provide an appropriate sentencing enhancement for any crime of violence against a vulnerable person (including a law enforcement officer) in which the defendant used body armor.

(Sec. 7) Directs the Commission to amend sentencing guidelines (and, if appropriate, policy statements) to require an enhanced sentence for a defendant convicted of committing a crime of violence against a vulnerable person while in possession of a firearm with a laser sighting device.

What's happening now May 14, 1996

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

 Related & companion bills 4
  • HR 146 Procedurally related Crimes Against the Elderly Penalty Act
  • HR 1794 Procedurally related Crimes Against Youth and Elderly Double Penalty Act
  • HR 3180 Procedurally related Amber Hagerman Child Protection Act of 1996
  • HRES 421 Procedurally related Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2974) to amend the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 …
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Republican 2
R
Calvert, Ken
California · Mar 19, 1996
 R
Smith, Christopher H.
New Jersey · Mar 6, 1996
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2974: Crimes Against Children and Elderly Persons Increased Punishment Act. 104th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-2974/
MLA
"H.R. 2974: Crimes Against Children and Elderly Persons Increased Punishment Act." 104th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-2974/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2974, 104th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-2974/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2974: Crimes Against Children and Elderly Persons Increased Punishment Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-2974/)
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