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Child Abuse Victims' Rights Act of 1986

Introduced: April 24, 1985 Introduced by: Grassley, Chuck Republican · Iowa See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 13 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 18, 1986
Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Oct 18, 1986
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Oct 18, 1986
Referred to House Committee on The Judiciary.
Sep 29, 1986
By Senator Thurmond from Committee on Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 99-504.
Aug 15, 1986
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 872.
Aug 15, 1986
Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Thurmond with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Jul 17, 1986
Committee on Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Sep 24, 1985
Subcommittee on Juvenile Justice. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 99-493.
May 23, 1985
Committee on Judiciary requested executive comment from Justice Department.
May 23, 1985
Committee on Judiciary. Referred jointly to the Subcommittee on Criminal Law.
May 23, 1985
Committee on Judiciary. Referred jointly to the Subcommittee on Juvenile Justice.
Apr 24, 1985
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Apr 24, 1985
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Child Abuse Victims Rights Act of 1985-Amends the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Statute to extend its coverage to the sexual exploitation of children.

Authorizes a civil suit for treble damages for any persons injured personally or in their business or property by violations of RICO.

Amends the Federal criminal code to provide a mandatory life sentence for any person who kidnaps an individual under the age of 18. Imposes the death penalty in any case where such victim dies as the result of the kidnapping.

Increases the penalties for offenses involving the sexual exploitation of children. Provides for a mandatory minimum sentence for second offenders. Requires the Attorney General, within one year, to submit a report to the Congress recommending possible changes in the Federal Rules of Evidence, the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and other courtroom prosecutorial and investigative procedures which would facilitate the participation of child witnesses in cases involving child abuse and sexual exploitation.

Specifies a list of considerations including: (1) the use of closed-circuit cameras, two-way mirrors, and other out-of-court statements; (2) the use of judicial discretion to circumscribe the use of harassment or confusing questions; (3) the use of videotape in investigations; (4) the possibility of streamlining, investigative procedures; and (5) improved training of prosecutorial and investigative staff in the special problems of child witnesses.

Requires the Attorney General to modify the classification system used by the National Crime Information Center in its Interstate Identification Index, and by the Identification Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation with respect to offenses involving the sexual exploitation of children, to include the age of the victim and the relationship of the victim to the offender. Requires such classification to use a uniform definition of a child.

Amends the Missing Children's Assistance Act to increase by one the membership of the Advisory Board on Missing Children.

What's happening now October 18, 1986

Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4