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HR 2122 105th Congress House

Joan's Law Act of 1997

Official title: To amend title 18, United States Code, to increase penalties for certain offenses where the victim is a child.

Introduced: July 9, 1997 See on congress.gov
Crime and Law Enforcement Air piracyArsonAssaultCapital punishment
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CarjackingChild abuseChild pornographyChild sexual abuseConspiracyExtortionFamiliesFirearmsHomicideKidnappingLife imprisonmentMurderRapeRobberySentences (Criminal procedure)
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This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) 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 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 30, 1998
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Jul 23, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.
Jul 9, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jul 9, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4922)
Jul 9, 1997
Introduced in House
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 Latest action April 30, 1998

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Joan's Law Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to require that any person convicted of a Federal offense involving a serious violent felony or the sexual exploitation of children shall, unless the death sentence is imposed, be sentenced to life in prison if the victim is under 14 years old and dies as a result of the offense.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 4
All 4 Democratic 2 Republican 2
R
Aderholt, Robert B.
Alabama · Sep 30, 1997
 D
Lofgren, Zoe
California · Jul 10, 1997
 D
Pallone, Frank
New Jersey · Jul 9, 1997
 R
Smith, Christopher H.
New Jersey · Jul 9, 1997
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2122: Joan's Law Act of 1997. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2122/
MLA
"H.R. 2122: Joan's Law Act of 1997." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2122/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2122, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2122/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2122: Joan's Law Act of 1997](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2122/)
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