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United States · Law · S

S. 151 (108th)

PROTECT Act

enactedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

13 January 2003

Last action

30 April 2003 · President

Status

Became Public Law No: 108-21.

Sponsors

Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT], Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT], Sen. Bennett, Robert F. [R-UT], Sen. DeWine, Mike [R-OH], Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA], Sen. Edwards, John [D-NC], Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY], Sen. Shelby, Richard C. [R-AL], Sen. Lincoln, Blanche L. [D-AR], Sen. Pryor, Mark L. [D-AR]

Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

10 August 2026

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

Prosecutorial Remedies and Tools Against the Exploitation of Children Today Act of 2003 (PROTECT Act) - Amends Federal criminal code provisions regarding child pornography to prohibit: (1) advertising, promoting, distributing, or soliciting in interstate or foreign commerce any material in a manner that conveys the impression that it contains an obscene visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct; or (2) knowingly offering or providing to a minor any such visual depiction to induce such minor to participate in any illegal activity. Makes certain information identifying minors depicted in child pornography inadmissible and subject to redaction from any otherwise admissible evidence in any prosecution of such an act. Modifies the definition of: (1) "minor" to provide that it shall not be construed to require proof of the actual identity of the person under age 18; (2) "child pornography" to include any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct that is of a minor engaging in bestiality, sadistic or masochistic abuse, or sexual intercourse; that lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value; or the production of which involves the use of an identifiable minor; (3) "identifiable minor" to include a computer generated image that is virtually indistinguishable from an actual minor; and (4) "produces" to cover computer generated images. Increases penalties for violating prohibitions against sexual exploitation of children. Amends the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 to authorize disclosure of child pornography by an electronic communication service provider to State officials and to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Sets penalties for using or inducing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct outside of the United States to produce any visual depiction of such conduct for transportation to the United States. Authorizes civil remedies for child pornography offenses. Makes persons previously convicted of obscenity eligible for enhanced recidivist penalties for sexual child exploitation. Directs the Attorney General to appoint 25 additional trial attorneys for investigation and prosecution of Federal child pornography laws.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 13 January 2003

    Introduced

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S237-239)

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 13 January 2003

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S236-237)

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 13 January 2003

    Introduced

    Introduced in Senate

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 30 January 2003

    Reported

    Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Hatch with amendments. Without written report.

    Source: Committee

  5. 30 January 2003

    Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 7.

    Source: Calendars

  6. 30 January 2003

    Reported

    Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.

    Source: Committee

  7. 11 February 2003

    Floor

    By Senator Hatch from Committee on the Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 108-2. Additional views filed.

    Source: Floor

  8. 11 February 2003

    Committee

    By Senator Hatch from Committee on the Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 108-2. Additional views filed.

    Source: Committee

  9. 24 February 2003

    Reported

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2573-2590; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S2573-2576)

    Source: Floor

  10. 24 February 2003

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Yea-Nay Vote. 84 - 0. Record Vote Number: 35.(text: CR S2587-2590)

    Source: Floor

  11. 25 February 2003

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

    Source: IntroReferral

  12. 25 February 2003

    Floor

    Received in the House.

    Source: Floor

  13. 25 February 2003

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

  14. 6 March 2003

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

    Source: Committee

  15. 27 March 2003

    Floor

    Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendments to Senate bill and House requests a conference.

    Source: Floor

  16. 27 March 2003

    Floor

    Mr. Sensenbrenner asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.

    Source: Floor

  17. 27 March 2003

    ResolvingDifferences

    The Speaker appointed conferees - from the Committee on the Judiciary for consideration of the Senate bill and the House amendments, and modifications committed to conference: Sensenbrenner, Coble, Smith (TX), Green (WI), Hart, Conyers, and Scott (VA).

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  18. 27 March 2003

    Passed

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

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  19. 27 March 2003

    Passed

    On motion that the House insist upon its amendments, and request a conference Agreed to without objection.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  20. 27 March 2003

    Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Scott (VA) motion to instruct conferees.

    Source: Floor

  21. 27 March 2003

    ResolvingDifferences

    Mr. Sensenbrenner moved that the House insist upon its amendments, and request a conference.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  22. 27 March 2003

    Floor

    A similar measure H.R. 1104 was laid on the table without objection.

    Source: Floor

  23. 27 March 2003

    Passed

    The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  24. 27 March 2003

    Passed

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

    Source: Floor

  25. 27 March 2003

    Passed

    On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H2440-2443)

    Source: Floor

  26. 27 March 2003

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.(text: CR H2440-2443)

    Source: Floor

  27. 27 March 2003

    Passed

    The House struck all after the enacting clause and inserted in lieu thereof the provisions of a similar measure H.R. 1104. Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  28. 27 March 2003

    Floor

    Considered by unanimous consent.

    Source: Floor

  29. 27 March 2003

    Discharge

    Committee on Judiciary discharged. (consideration: CR H2440-2443)

    Source: Discharge

  30. 27 March 2003

    Committee

    Committee on Judiciary discharged.(consideration: CR H2440-2443)

    Source: Committee

  31. 31 March 2003

    ResolvingDifferences

    The Speaker appointed conferees - from the Committee on Education and the Workforce for consideration of sec. 8 of the Senate bill and secs. 222, 305, and 508 of the House amendments, and modifications committed to conference: Hoekstra, Gingrey, and Hinojosa.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  32. 3 April 2003

    Passed

    Senate disagreed to House amendments, agreed to request for conference, and appointed conferees. Hatch; Grassley; Sessions; Graham SC; Leahy; Kennedy; Biden. by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4872)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  33. 7 April 2003

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

  34. 9 April 2003

    Reported

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 188 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of the conference report to S. 151. All points of order against the conference report and against its consideration are waived. The conference report shall be considered as read.

    Source: Floor

  35. 9 April 2003

    ResolvingDifferences

    Conference papers: Senate report and manager's statement held at the desk in Senate.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  36. 9 April 2003

    ResolvingDifferences

    Conference report H. Rept. 108-66 filed. (text of conference report: CR H2950-2968)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  37. 9 April 2003

    ResolvingDifferences

    Conference report filed: Conference report H. Rept. 108-66 filed.(text of conference report: CR H2950-2968)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  38. 10 April 2003

    Vote

    Conference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report by Yea-Nay Vote. 98 - 0. Record Vote Number: 132.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  39. 10 April 2003

    ResolvingDifferences

    Conference papers: message on House action held at the desk in Senate.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  40. 10 April 2003

    Passed

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

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  41. 10 April 2003

    Vote

    On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 400 - 25, 2 Present (Roll no. 127). (text of conference report: CR 4/09/2003 CR H2950-2968)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  42. 10 April 2003

    Vote

    Conference report agreed to in House: On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 400 - 25, 2 Present (Roll no. 127).(text of conference report: CR 4/09/2003 CR H2950-2968)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  43. 10 April 2003

    ResolvingDifferences

    The previous question was ordered without objection.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  44. 10 April 2003

    Floor

    The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the conference report.

    Source: Floor

  45. 10 April 2003

    ResolvingDifferences

    Mr. Sensenbrenner brought up conference report H. Rept. 108-66 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res. 188. (consideration: CR H3066-3076)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  46. 10 April 2003

    Passed

    Rule H. Res. 188 passed House.

    Source: Floor

  47. 11 April 2003

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

  48. 28 April 2003

    Floor

    Presented to President.

    Source: Floor

  49. 28 April 2003

    President

    Presented to President.

    Source: President

  50. 30 April 2003

    Became law

    Became Public Law No: 108-21.

    Source: President

  51. 30 April 2003

    Became law

    Signed by President.

    Source: BecameLaw

  52. 30 April 2003

    President

    Signed by President.

    Source: President

Votes

10 April 2003 · Conference Report Agreed to · On the Conference Report S. 151 · Conference Report Agreed to · Official source

Yes 98 · No 0 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 2

Showing the first 4 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.

24 February 2003 · Bill Passed · On Passage of the Bill S. 151 · Bill Passed · Official source

Yes 84 · No 0 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 16

Showing the first 4 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.

Versions

Documents

20 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 April 2003

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  • Public Law (PDF)

    Public Law · EN · 30 April 2003

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  • Public Law

    summary · EN · 30 April 2003

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  • Conference report filed in House

    summary · EN · 9 April 2003

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  • Engrossed Amendment House (text)

    Engrossed Amendment House · EN · 27 March 2003

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  • Engrossed Amendment House (PDF)

    Engrossed Amendment House · EN · 27 March 2003

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  • Passed House amended

    summary · EN · 27 March 2003

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  • Referred in House (text)

    Referred in House · EN · 25 February 2003

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  • Referred in House (PDF)

    Referred in House · EN · 25 February 2003

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  • Engrossed in Senate (text)

    Engrossed in Senate · EN · 24 February 2003

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  • Engrossed in Senate (PDF)

    Engrossed in Senate · EN · 24 February 2003

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  • Passed Senate amended

    summary · EN · 24 February 2003

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  • Reported to Senate (text)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 30 January 2003

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  • Reported to Senate (PDF)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 30 January 2003

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  • Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

    summary · EN · 30 January 2003

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  • Introduced in Senate (text)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 13 January 2003

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  • Introduced in Senate (PDF)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 13 January 2003

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  • Introduced in Senate

    summary · EN · 13 January 2003

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Sponsors

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Related across the Repo ecosystem

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Direct relationships

  • Identifier matchPROJECTS_FROM

    Same us record 108-s-151 projected from PoliticalRepo US row.

    PROTECT Act

Sources

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