S 1333 United States Senate · 119th Congress

Strengthening Child Exploitation Enforcement Act

This bill strengthens federal laws against child exploitation by creating a new offense for intentionally touching a child under 16 in a sexual way (e.g., touching genitalia without clothing) in federal prisons or facilities. It removes consent as a defense for offenders involving children under 16, requiring them to prove they reasonably believed the child was 16 or older. The bill also updates definitions to clarify that sexual contact crossing state lines or occurring in federal facilities falls under existing laws. These changes directly affect minors under 16 and offenders, making it a clearer federal crime to sexually abuse children in specific settings like prisons or federal facilities.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Sep 2025
Senate Passage
Sep 2025
House Passage
President
Introduced Apr 8, 2025 Last action Oct 10, 2025
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
9
Key actions
4
Committee
3
Sep 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S6843-6844)
upper
Sep 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
upper
Sep 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6843-6844)
upper
Sep 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
upper
Apr 8, 2025
Committee
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
upper
Apr 8, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors