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United States · Law · HR

H.R. 3494 (105th)

Protection of Children From Sexual Predators Act of 1998

enactedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

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

  1. 18 March 1998

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 18 March 1998

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 18 March 1998

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 26 March 1998

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.

    Source: Committee

  5. 30 April 1998

    Committee

    Subcommittee on Crime Discharged.

    Source: Committee

  6. 30 April 1998

    Committee

    Subcommittee Hearings Held.

    Source: Committee

  7. 6 May 1998

    Reported

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Source: Committee

  8. 6 May 1998

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  9. 3 June 1998

    Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 312.

    Source: Calendars

  10. 3 June 1998

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 105-557.

    Source: Committee

  11. 3 June 1998

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 105-557.

    Source: Committee

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 11 June 1998

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  15. 11 June 1998

    Vote

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 416 - 0, 1 Present (Roll No. 230).

    Source: Floor

  16. 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

  17. 11 June 1998

    Passed

    On motion to recommit with instructions Agreed to by voice vote.

    Source: Floor

  18. 11 June 1998

    Floor

    The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

    Source: Floor

  19. 11 June 1998

    Floor

    Ms. Jackson-Lee (TX) moved to recommit with instructions to Judiciary.

    Source: Floor

  20. 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

  21. 11 June 1998

    Floor

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

    Source: Floor

  22. 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

  23. 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

  24. 11 June 1998

    Floor

    The Speaker designated the Honorable John M. McHugh to act as Chairman of the Committee.

    Source: Floor

  25. 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

  26. 11 June 1998

    Floor

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 465. (consideration: CR H4491-4531)

    Source: Floor

  27. 11 June 1998

    Passed

    Rule H. Res. 465 passed House.

    Source: Floor

  28. 16 June 1998

    Introduced

    Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

    Source: IntroReferral

  29. 17 September 1998

    Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 587.

    Source: Calendars

  30. 17 September 1998

    Reported

    Committee on Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Source: Committee

  31. 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

  32. 9 October 1998

    Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S12257-12265)

    Source: Floor

  33. 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

  34. 10 October 1998

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

  35. 12 October 1998

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  36. 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

  37. 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

  38. 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

  39. 12 October 1998

    Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.

    Source: Floor

  40. 12 October 1998

    ResolvingDifferences

    Mr. Hutchinson moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  41. 20 October 1998

    Floor

    Presented to President.

    Source: Floor

  42. 20 October 1998

    President

    Presented to President.

    Source: President

  43. 30 October 1998

    Became law

    Became Public Law No: 105-314.

    Source: President

  44. 30 October 1998

    Became law

    Signed by President.

    Source: BecameLaw

  45. 30 October 1998

    President

    Signed by President.

    Source: President

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

21 official files

Enrolled Bill (text)

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  • Enrolled Bill (text)

    Enrolled Bill · EN

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  • 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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