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105TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 3017
Calling for ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights
of the Child.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
NOVEMBER 9, 1997
Mr. SANDERS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Commit-
tee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committee on Ways
and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker,
in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the juris-
diction of the committee concerned
A BILL
Calling for ratification of the United Nations Convention
on the Rights of the Child.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Rights of the Child
Act of 1997’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The United States is the only Western in-
dustrialized nation which has neither ratified nor be-
come a party to the United Nations Convention on
the Rights of the Child.
(2) During the 1990’s, the United States had
the worst child poverty rate among Western indus-
trialized nations: one-quarter of America’s children
lived in poverty.
(3) One in 10 infants living in the United
States has no routine source of health care.
(4) Forty percent of children in the United
States are at risk of school failure.
(5) An estimated 1,800,000 teenagers were vic-
tims of violent crimes in the United States in the
early 1990’s.
(6) 2,600,000 children were reported abused
and neglected in 1991.
(7) Approximately 144,000 babies will die in
the United States, over the next 4 years, before their
1st birthday.
SEC. 3. SUBMISSION OF UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON
THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD.
It is the sense of the Congress that the President
should submit and seek the advice and consent of the Sen-
ate by December 31, 1998, to ratification of the Conven-
tion on the Rights of the Child, adopted by the United
Nations with the support of the United States on Novem-
ber 29, 1989, and signed by Madeleine Albright acting as
United States Delegate to the United Nations and on be-
half of the United States Government on February 16,
1995.
SEC. 4. CONSULTATION WITH THE STATES.
Prior to the submission under section 3, the Attorney
General of the United States shall meet with the attorneys
general of the States and territories of the United States
for the purpose of determining their recommendations
concerning any limitations in the form of reservations,
declarations, statements, and understandings that should
accompany a proposed resolution of ratification of the
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
SEC. 5. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION AND REPORT TO
CONGRESS.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established an advi-
sory commission concerning the economic, social, cultural,
political, and civil rights of children.
(b) COMPOSITION.—The commission shall be com-
posed of 11 persons, appointed as provided under sub-
section (c), with experience, expertise, and concerns per-
taining to the economic, social, cultural, political, and civil
rights of children as well as individuals who are parents
or legal guardians of children.
(c) APPOINTMENT.—Not later than March 1, 1998,
the commission of shall be appointed as follows:
(1) 5 persons appointed by the President.
(2) 1 person appointed by the Speaker of the
House of Representatives.
(3) 1 person appointed by the majority leader
of the House of Representatives.
(4) 1 person appointed by the majority leader
of the Senate.
(5) 1 person appointed by the minority leader
of the Senate.
(6) 1 person appointed by the minority leader
of the House of Representatives.
(7) The Secretary of Health and Human Serv-
ices (or a designee of the Secretary).
(d) CHAIRPERSON.—The President shall designate a
chairperson of the commission.
(e) VACANCIES.—Vacancies in the commission shall
be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
(f) COMPENSATION.—Members of the commission
shall serve without pay or other compensation.
(g) STAFF.—Such staff and administrative support
as are necessary and appropriate shall be made available
to the commission on a non-reimbursable basis by the Sec-
retary of Health and Human Services.
that are carried out by the Subcommittee and Working
Group on Contemporary Forms of Slavery.
SEC. 7. PROHIBITION ON IMPORTATION OF PRODUCTS
MADE BY BONDED CHILD LABOR.
(a) PROHIBITION.—No product manufactured or
mined, in whole or in part, by bonded child labor shall
be imported into the United States.
(b) REGULATION.—The Secretary of the Treasury, in
consulation with the Secretary of Labor, shall prescribe
such regulations are are necessary and appropriate to
carry out this section.
(c) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section the follow-
ing terms have the following meanings:
(1) The term ‘‘bonded child labor’’ means work
or service exacted from a child confined against the
child’s will, either in payment for the debts of a par-
ent, relative, or guardian, or drawn under false pre-
text.
(2) The term ‘‘child’’ means an individual who
has not attained the age of 18 years.
SEC. 8. PROHIBITION ON ASSISTANCE TO COUNTRIES THAT
ALLOW CHILD PROSTITUTION AND SEXUAL
EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN.
(a) PROHIBITION.—United States assistance may not
be provided to the government of a foreign country for
a fiscal year unless the President certifies to the Congress
for such fiscal year that such government has enacted, and
is enforcing, laws against child prostitution and the sexual
exploitation of children.
(b) WAIVER.—The prohibition on foreign assistance
under subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to a for-
eign country if the President determines and notifies the
Congress that providing such assistance for such country
is in the national security interest of the United States.
(c) DEFINITION.—As used in this section, the term
‘‘United States assistance’’ means assistance under the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.).
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The prohibition on foreign
assistance under subsection (a) shall apply with respect
to fiscal year 1999 and subsequent fiscal years.
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