HR 9047 United States House · 118th Congress

To amend title 18, United States Code, to modify provisions relating to kidnapping, sexual abuse, and illicit sexual conduct with respect to minors.

This bill amends federal kidnapping and sexual abuse laws to strengthen protections for minors under 16. It adds a new provision making it unlawful to intentionally touch a minor's genitalia (not through clothing) for sexual purposes in federal prisons or facilities under federal contract. Crucially, it removes consent as a defense for offenders when the victim is under 16, requiring offenders to prove they reasonably believed the minor was 16. These changes apply retroactively to conduct occurring before, during, or after the law's enactment.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jul 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Jul 15, 2024 Last action Jul 15, 2024
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Committee
1
Jul 15, 2024
Committee
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
lower
Jul 15, 2024
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors

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