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HR 3438 105th Congress House Crime and Law Enforcement Arrest Assault Capital punishment Extortion Families Federal law enforcement officers Fugitives from justice Government Operations and Politics Hostages Kidnapping Law Life imprisonment Mandatory sentences Murder Obstruction of justice Sentences (Criminal procedure) Warrants (Law)

To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit taking a child hostage in order to evade arrest.

Introduced: March 11, 1998 See on congress.gov
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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 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 19, 1998
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.
Mar 11, 1998
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Mar 11, 1998
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E349)
Mar 11, 1998
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties to be imposed against anyone who uses force or threatens to use force against any Federal officer or agency and who seizes or detains a child in order to: (1) evade arrest or obstruct justice; or (2) compel any Federal agency to take or abstain from any act.

What's happening now March 19, 1998

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Democratic 1 Republican 1
D
Lofgren, Zoe
California · May 5, 1998
 R
Calvert, Ken
California · Apr 28, 1998
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3438: To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit taking a child hostage in order to evade arrest.. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-3438/
MLA
"H.R. 3438: To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit taking a child hostage in order to evade arrest.." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-3438/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3438, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-3438/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3438: To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit taking a child hostage in order to evade arrest.](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-3438/)
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