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HR 1951 113th Congress House

Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act of 2013

Official title: To ensure compliance with the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction by countries with which the United States enjoys reci… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To ensure compliance with the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction by countries with which the United States enjoys reciprocal obligations, to establish procedures for the prompt return of children abducted to other countries, and for other purposes.

Introduced: May 13, 2013 Introduced by: Smith, Christopher H. Republican · New Jersey See on congress.gov
International Affairs Aviation and airportsChild safety and welfareCongressional oversightCrimes against children
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Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal justice information and recordsCultural exchanges and relationsDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadForeign aid and international reliefForeign loans and debtGovernment information and archivesHuman rightsInternational exchange and broadcastingInternational law and treatiesInternational organizations and cooperationMilitary assistance, sales, and agreementsMilitary personnel and dependentsMilitary procurement, research, weapons developmentMotor carriersMultilateral development programsNormal trade relations, most-favored-nation treatmentPublic contracts and procurementSanctionsSeparation, divorce, custody, supportTariffsTrade restrictionsVisas and passports
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This bill died when the 113th Congress ended
It never became law before the 113th Congress (2013–2014) 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 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 14, 2013
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
May 15, 2013
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Unanimous Consent .
May 15, 2013
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
May 13, 2013
Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations.
May 13, 2013
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Financial Services, the Judiciary, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
May 13, 2013
Introduced in House
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 Latest action June 14, 2013

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of State to submit to Congress an Annual Report on International Child Abduction.

Directs the Secretary to ensure that U.S. diplomatic and consular missions: (1) maintain a consistent reporting standard with respect to abduction or access cases, and (2) designate at least one official in each mission to assist U.S. parents who are visiting to resolve such cases.

Directs the Secretary to seek to enter into a memorandum of understanding (an agreement between the United States and a country that is not a Convention country to resolve abduction and rights of access cases) with every country that is not a Convention country. Defines "Convention country" as a country other than the United States that has ratified, acceded, or succeeded to the Hague Abduction Convention and with respect to which the United States has entered into a reciprocal agreement pursuant to the Hague Abduction Convention.

Provides that whenever the President determines that the government of a foreign country has failed to resolve an unresolved abduction or access case, or has engaged in a pattern of noncooperation, the President shall take one or more specified actions to promote resolution or cooperation.

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 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 7
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1951: Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act of 2013. 113th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-1951/
MLA
"H.R. 1951: Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act of 2013." 113th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-1951/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1951, 113th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-1951/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1951: Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act of 2013](https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-1951/)
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