United States · Law · HR
H.R. 3494 (105th)
Protection of Children From Sexual Predators Act of 1998
Introduced
18 March 1998
Last action
30 October 1998 · President
Status
Became Public Law No: 105-314.
Sponsors
Rep. McCollum, Bill [R-FL-8], Rep. Dunn, Jennifer [R-WA-8], Rep. Pryce, Deborah [R-OH-15], Rep. Granger, Kay [R-TX-12], Rep. Northup, Anne M. [R-KY-3], Rep. Fowler, Tillie [R-FL-4], Rep. Franks, Bob [R-NJ-7], Rep. Foley, Mark [R-FL-16], Rep. Cunningham, Randy (Duke) [R-CA-50], Rep. Deal, Nathan [R-GA-9], Rep. Ramstad, Jim [R-MN-3], Rep. Barr, Bob [R-GA-7], Rep. Chabot, Steve [R-OH-1], Rep. Diaz-Balart, Lincoln [R-FL-21], Rep. Gutknecht, Gil [R-MN-1], Rep. Lampson, Nick [D-TX-22], Sen. Ensign, John [R-NV], Rep. English, Phil [R-PA-3], Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41], Rep. Kelly, Sue W. [R-NY-19], Rep. Nethercutt, George R., Jr. [R-WA-5], Rep. Hastert, J. Dennis [R-IL-14], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. McInnis, Scott [R-CO-3], Sen. Talent, Jim [R-MO], Rep. Pappas, Michael [R-NJ-12]
Subjects
Discovery layer
Source updated
10 August 2026
Summary
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Protecting Children from Sexual Predators and Computer Pornography Title II: Punishing Sexual Predators Title III: Federal Investigations of Sex Crimes Against Children and Serial Killers Child Protection and Sexual Predator Punishment Act of 1998 - Title I: Protecting Children from Sexual Predators and Computer Pornography - Amends the Federal criminal code to subject to a fine and five years' imprisonment anyone who, using the mail or any facility of interstate or foreign commerce: (1) or who within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, knowingly contacts (or attempts to contact) an individual who has not attained age 18, or who has been represented to the person making the contact as not having attained age 18, for purposes of engaging in criminal sexual activity; or (2) knowingly transfers obscene matter to such an individual. (Sec. 103) Increases penalties for: (1) enticing or coercing any person under age 18, in any U.S. territory or possession, to engage in prostitution or in criminal sexual activity or to travel in interstate or foreign commerce to engage in such activity; (2) using any facility of interstate or foreign commerce, including the mail, to entice or coerce such an individual to engage in such activity; and (3) engaging in certain activities relating to material involving the sexual exploitation of minors or child pornography. (Sec. 105) Provides for: (1) criminal forfeiture for solicitation of minors and interstate prostitution; and (2) pretrial detention of persons who commit specified sex offenses involving child pornography or against a minor. (Sec. 107) Sets: (1) a three-year minimum term of imprisonment for enticing or coercing within U.S. jurisdiction, or for using a computer or any facility of interstate or foreign commerce to entice or coerce, any individual under age 18 to engage in prostitution or a criminal sexual act; and (2) the maximum term of imprisonment for a violation of provisions regarding transportation for illegal sexual activity after a prior sex offense conviction at twice the term otherwise provided. Title II: Punishing Sexual Predators - Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review and amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide a sentencing enhancement, and increases penalties, for transportation of a minor or assumed minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and for travel with intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor or assumed minor. (Sec. 203) Doubles penalties for abusive sexual contact where the victim is under age 12. (Sec. 204) Requires persons who violate aggravated sexual abuse provisions or engage in specified conduct that would violate such provisions if the conduct had occurred in the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States after having been convicted twice previously of a serious State or Federal sex crime, to be imprisoned for life. (Sec. 205) Replaces repeat offender provisions with a provision doubling the maximum term of imprisonment after a prior sex offense conviction. (Sec. 206) Provides a civil remedy for personal injuries resulting from certain sex crimes against children. Title III: Federal Investigations of Sex Crimes Against Children and Serial Killers - Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize the Attorney General, in investigations of alleged violations of provisions regarding sexual abuse of children, to subpoena witnesses and compel the production of records deemed relevant or material to the investigation. (Sec. 302) Provides that the fact that a presumption that a person has been transported in interstate or foreign commerce if the victim is not released within 24 hours after being unlawfully kidnapped has not yet taken effect does not preclude a Federal investigation of a possible kidnapping before the 24-hour period has ended. Includes the following among the jurisdictional elements for kidnapping: (1) the mail or any facility of interstate or foreign commerce is used in furtherance of the offense; and (2) the offense affects interstate or foreign commerce, or would do so if the offense were consummated. Specifies that the kidnapping offense applies regardless of whether such person was alive when transported across a State boundary, provided the person was alive when the transportation began. (Sec. 303) Subjects any person who travels across a State line or enters or leaves Indian country with intent to engage in conduct that constitutes murder in the first degree to life imprisonment or, if death results, imposition of the death penalty. Prohibits such prosecution from being undertaken by the United States except on written certification of the Attorney General (or the Attorney General's highest ranking subordinate with responsibility for criminal prosecutions) that the conduct intended to be engaged in was a serial killing. Makes such certification unreviewable in any court. (Sec. 304) Directs the Attorney General to establish the Morgan P. Hardiman Child Abduction and Serial Murder Investigative Resources Center to provide investigative support to assist Federal, State, and local authorities in matters involving child abductions, mysterious disappearance of children, child homicide, and serial murder across the country. Authorizes appropriations. Repeals missing and exploited children provisions of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.
This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.
Timeline
18 March 1998
Introduced
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Source: IntroReferral
18 March 1998
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
18 March 1998
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
26 March 1998
Referred
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.
Source: Committee
30 April 1998
Committee
Subcommittee on Crime Discharged.
Source: Committee
30 April 1998
Committee
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Source: Committee
6 May 1998
Reported
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Source: Committee
6 May 1998
Committee
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Source: Committee
3 June 1998
Calendars
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 312.
Source: Calendars
3 June 1998
Reported
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 105-557.
Source: Committee
3 June 1998
Reported
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 105-557.
Source: Committee
10 June 1998
Reported
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 465 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3494 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
Source: Floor
11 June 1998
Floor
The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 3494.
Source: Floor
11 June 1998
Passed
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Source: Floor
11 June 1998
Vote
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 416 - 0, 1 Present (Roll No. 230).
Source: Floor
11 June 1998
Vote
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 416 - 0, 1 Present (Roll No. 230).
Source: Floor
11 June 1998
Passed
On motion to recommit with instructions Agreed to by voice vote.
Source: Floor
11 June 1998
Floor
The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
Source: Floor
11 June 1998
Floor
Ms. Jackson-Lee (TX) moved to recommit with instructions to Judiciary.
Source: Floor
11 June 1998
Passed
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
Source: Floor
11 June 1998
Floor
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Source: Floor
11 June 1998
Floor
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 3494.
Source: Floor
11 June 1998
Floor
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3494 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
Source: Floor
11 June 1998
Floor
The Speaker designated the Honorable John M. McHugh to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Source: Floor
11 June 1998
Floor
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 465 and Rule XXIII.
Source: Floor
11 June 1998
Floor
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 465. (consideration: CR H4491-4531)
Source: Floor
11 June 1998
Passed
Rule H. Res. 465 passed House.
Source: Floor
16 June 1998
Introduced
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Source: IntroReferral
17 September 1998
Calendars
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 587.
Source: Calendars
17 September 1998
Reported
Committee on Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Source: Committee
17 September 1998
Reported
Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Hatch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. Without written report.
Source: Committee
9 October 1998
Floor
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S12257-12265)
Source: Floor
9 October 1998
Passed
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.
Source: Floor
10 October 1998
Floor
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Source: Floor
12 October 1998
Passed
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
12 October 1998
Vote
On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 400 - 0, 2 Present (Roll No. 521). (consideration: CR H10638)
Source: ResolvingDifferences
12 October 1998
Vote
Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 400 - 0, 2 Present (Roll No. 521).(consideration: CR H10638)
Source: NotUsed
12 October 1998
ResolvingDifferences
At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Hastings (FL) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
12 October 1998
Floor
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Source: Floor
12 October 1998
ResolvingDifferences
Mr. Hutchinson moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
20 October 1998
Floor
Presented to President.
Source: Floor
20 October 1998
President
Presented to President.
Source: President
30 October 1998
Became law
Became Public Law No: 105-314.
Source: President
30 October 1998
Became law
Signed by President.
Source: BecameLaw
30 October 1998
President
Signed by President.
Source: President
Votes
No vote records are attached yet.
Versions
- Enrolled Bill · — · Download file
- Public Law · 30 October 1998 · Download file
- Reported to Senate · 17 September 1998 · Download file
- Engrossed Amendment Senate · 17 September 1998 · Download file
- Referred in Senate · 16 June 1998 · Download file
- Engrossed in House · 11 June 1998 · Download file
- Reported in House · 3 June 1998 · Download file
- Introduced in House · 18 March 1998 · Download file
Documents
21 official files
Enrolled Bill (text)
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Enrolled Bill (text)
Enrolled Bill · EN
Enrolled Bill (PDF)
Enrolled Bill · EN
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Public Law (text)
Public Law · EN · 30 October 1998
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Public Law (PDF)
Public Law · EN · 30 October 1998
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Passed Senate amended
summary · EN · 9 October 1998
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Reported to Senate (text)
Reported to Senate · EN · 17 September 1998
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Reported to Senate (PDF)
Reported to Senate · EN · 17 September 1998
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Engrossed Amendment Senate (text)
Engrossed Amendment Senate · EN · 17 September 1998
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Engrossed Amendment Senate (PDF)
Engrossed Amendment Senate · EN · 17 September 1998
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Reported to Senate with amendment(s)
summary · EN · 17 September 1998
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Referred in Senate (text)
Referred in Senate · EN · 16 June 1998
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Referred in Senate (PDF)
Referred in Senate · EN · 16 June 1998
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Engrossed in House (text)
Engrossed in House · EN · 11 June 1998
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Engrossed in House (PDF)
Engrossed in House · EN · 11 June 1998
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Passed House amended
summary · EN · 11 June 1998
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Reported in House (text)
Reported in House · EN · 3 June 1998
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Reported in House (PDF)
Reported in House · EN · 3 June 1998
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Reported to House with amendment(s)
summary · EN · 3 June 1998
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Introduced in House (text)
Introduced in House · EN · 18 March 1998
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Introduced in House (PDF)
Introduced in House · EN · 18 March 1998
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Introduced in House
summary · EN · 18 March 1998
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Sponsors
- Rep. McCollum, Bill [R-FL-8] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Dunn, Jennifer [R-WA-8] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Pryce, Deborah [R-OH-15] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Granger, Kay [R-TX-12] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Northup, Anne M. [R-KY-3] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Fowler, Tillie [R-FL-4] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Franks, Bob [R-NJ-7] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Foley, Mark [R-FL-16] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Cunningham, Randy (Duke) [R-CA-50] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Deal, Nathan [R-GA-9] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Ramstad, Jim [R-MN-3] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Barr, Bob [R-GA-7] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Chabot, Steve [R-OH-1] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Diaz-Balart, Lincoln [R-FL-21] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Gutknecht, Gil [R-MN-1] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Lampson, Nick [D-TX-22] · D · Sponsor
- Sen. Ensign, John [R-NV] · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. English, Phil [R-PA-3] · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41] · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Kelly, Sue W. [R-NY-19] · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Nethercutt, George R., Jr. [R-WA-5] · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Hastert, J. Dennis [R-IL-14] · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. McInnis, Scott [R-CO-3] · R · Cosponsor
- Sen. Talent, Jim [R-MO] · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Pappas, Michael [R-NJ-12] · R · Cosponsor
- · ssju00 · Standing
- · hsju00 · Standing
Related records
- related to → Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3494) to amend title 18, United States Code, with respect to violent sex crimes against children, and for other purposes.
- related to ← Stop Trafficking of Pornography in Prisons Act of 1998
- amends ← To amend chapter 110 of title 18, United States Code, to provide for "zero tolerance" for possession of child pornography.
- amends ← To make technical and conforming amendments.
- amends ← An amendment to add a new title at the end of the bill entitled Limiting Availability of Pornography on Computers.
- amends ← An amendment to authorize the National Institute of Justice to conduct a study of persistent sexual predators and report to Congress on their results.
- amends ← An amendment to allow youth serving volunteer organizations to request access to FBI criminal fingerprint background checks.
- amends ← An amendment to provide grants to states to combat violence against women and children and establish various provisions to limit the effects of violence and sexual assault.
- amends ← An amendment to increase sentences by 50 percent for violent crimes committed against seniors and those who are disabled.
Showing 9 of 15 related records.
Related across the Repo ecosystem
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Direct relationships
- Legal framework · Protection of Children From Sexual Predators Act of 1998 · H.R. 3494 (105th) · US
- Identifier matchPROJECTS_FROM
Same us record 105-hr-3494 projected from PoliticalRepo US row.
Sources
PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.
- Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/3494
- Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/105/hr/3494
- us · 105-hr-3494 · source updated 10 August 2026