Act for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Hostage-Taking

Summary

Act for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Hostage-Taking - Provides for the implementation of the International Convention Against the Taking of Hostages. Amends the kidnapping provisions of the Federal Criminal Code to include within the prohibition threatening to kill, injure, or continue to detain the kidnap victim in order to compel a third party to do or abstain from doing any act as a condition for the release of the victim. Imposes a penalty of 20 years imprisonment for such hostage-taking. Authorizes the United States, if the kidnap victim is an internationally protected person or if the kidnapping is a hostage-taking, to exercise jurisdiction if: (1) the offense was committed within the United States; (2) the alleged offender is a U.S. national; (3) the victim was a U.S. national; or (4) the offender is present within the United States. Authorizes the Attorney General to request aid from any Federal, State, or local agency in the course of enforcing the prohibition against hostage-taking.

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Timeline

1. 2 May 1984

   Introduced

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 2 May 1984

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 7 May 1984

   Referred

   Referred to Subcommittee on Security and Terrorism.

   Source: Committee

4. 5 June 1984

   Committee

   Subcommittee on Security and Terrorism. Hearings held.

   Source: Committee

5. 6 June 1984

   Committee

   Subcommittee on Security and Terrorism. Hearings held.

   Source: Committee

6. 20 September 1984

   Committee

   Subcommittee on Security and Terrorism. Approved for full committee consideration with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

   Source: Committee

7. 2 October 1984

   Calendars

   Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 1303.

   Source: Calendars

8. 2 October 1984

   Discharge

   Senate Committee on Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.

   Source: Discharge

9. 2 October 1984

   Committee

   Senate Committee on Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.

   Source: Committee

10. 11 October 1984

    Passed

    Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.

    Source: Floor

11. 11 October 1984

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.

    Source: Floor

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

No version snapshots stored. Document URLs remain at the source.

Documents

1 official file

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 2 May 1984

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Sen. Thurmond, Strom [R-SC] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Biden, Joseph R., Jr. [D-DE] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Denton, Jeremiah [R-AL] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Garn, E. J. (Jake) [R-UT] · R · Cosponsor
• · ssju00 · Standing

Related records

• related to → Act for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Hostage-Taking