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S 1240 98th Congress Senate

Child Protection Act of 1983

Official title: A bill to strengthen law enforcement in the areas of child exploitation and pornography and to increase the criminal penalties in such areas, and for other purposes.

Introduced: May 9, 1983 Introduced by: Grassley, Chuck Republican · Iowa See on congress.gov
Crime and Law Enforcement Child abuseChildren and youthCrime preventionFamilies
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PornographySex crimesSex-oriented businesses
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This bill died when the 98th Congress ended
It never became law before the 98th Congress (1983–1984) 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 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 9, 1983
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
May 9, 1983
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action May 9, 1983

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Child Protection Act of 1983 - Amends the Federal criminal code dealing with the sexual exploitation of children. Prohibits the distribution of material involving the sexual exploitation of minors even if the material is not found to be "obscene" and transferred without a sale.

Increases the penalties for violation of this section.

Redefines "minor" as any person under the age of 18.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 1240: Child Protection Act of 1983. 98th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/98-S-1240/
MLA
"S. 1240: Child Protection Act of 1983." 98th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/98-S-1240/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 1240, 98th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/98-S-1240/.
Markdown link
[S. 1240: Child Protection Act of 1983](https://openamerica.io/bill/98-S-1240/)
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