Child Abduction Prevention Act
| Date | Chamber | What was voted on | Result | Yes–No | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 27, 2003 | House · vote #89 | On Passage | Passed | 410–14 | See who voted → |
Prohibits: (1) and increases the maximum sentence for traveling in or into the United States to engage in an illicit sexual act with another person (currently, with a juvenile); (2) traveling in foreign commerce and engaging in such sexual conduct; or (3) arranging or facilitating such travel. Establishes as a defense that the defendant reasonably believed the victim had attained age 18.
Provides for mandatory life imprisonment of a person convicted of a Federal sex offense against a minor if the person has a prior sex conviction in which a minor was the victim, unless a death sentence is imposed.
Establishes criminal liability for attempting to remove a child from the United States with intent to obstruct the lawful exercise of parental rights.
Authorizes the interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications in the investigation of kidnaping, sex trafficking, specified sex offenses against children, or transportation for illegal sexual activity.
Eliminates statutes of limitations for child abduction and for felony offenses of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation and other abuse of children, transportation for illegal sexual activity, or sex trafficking of children or by force. Bars pretrial release for persons charged with such offenses.
Requires Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies to report each case of a missing child under age 21 (currently, 18) reported to them to the National Crime Information Center.
Directs the Attorney General to assign a national AMBER Alert Coordinator who shall establish minimum standards for the issuance of alerts and the extent of alert dissemination.
Provides for grants to States for the development or enhancement of: (1) notification or communications systems along highways for alerts for the recovery of abducted children; and (2) programs and activities for the support of AMBER Alert communications plans.
Increases authorized appropriations for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Authorizes the use of COPS (Cops on the Beat, community policing) grants to assist a State in enforcing a convicted sex offender registration law.
Laid on the table. See S. 151 for further action.