Strengthening Child Exploitation Enforcement Act

The Strengthening Child Exploitation Enforcement Act amends federal laws to better protect children under 16 from sexual abuse and exploitation. Key changes include making it a crime to obtain a minor through fraud or deception, removing consent as a defense for offenses involving minors under 16 (unless the offender reasonably believed the minor was 16 or older), and creating a new offense for intentional touching of a minor's genitalia without clothing for sexual purposes in federal facilities. The bill updates existing language (like replacing "crosses a State line" with "travels in interstate or foreign commerce") and ensures attempts to commit these crimes face the same penalties as completed acts. These changes apply to all relevant conduct occurring before, on, or after the bill’s enactment date.