Holding Violent Criminals and Child Predators Accountable Act of 2022
Bill: S.3594 | Sponsor: Sen. Ernst, Joni (R-IA)
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
Holding Violent Criminals and Child Predators Accountable Act of 2022
This bill increases criminal penalties for certain crimes involving child sexual abuse and interstate domestic violence that results in the death of the victim.

To amend title 18, United States Code, to hold violent criminals and 
                      child predators accountable.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Holding Violent Criminals and Child 
Predators Accountable Act of 2022''.

SEC. 2. ENHANCED PENALTIES.

    (a) Sexual Abuse of a Minor or Ward.--Section 2243 of title 18, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ``not more than 15 years'' 
each place the term appears and inserting ``for any number of years up 
to life''.
    (b) Abusive Sexual Contact.--Section 2244(c) of title 18, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ``twice that otherwise provided in 
this section'' and replace with ``up to life''.
    (c) Sexual Exploitation of Children.--Section 2251 of title 18, 
United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (e) and inserting 
the following:
    ``(e)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), any person who 
violates, or attempts or conspires to violate, this section shall be 
fined under this title and imprisoned not less than 15 years or for 
life.
    ``(2) In the case of a person described in paragraph (1) who--
            ``(A) has 1 prior conviction under this chapter, section 
        1591, chapter 71, chapter 109A, or chapter 117, or under 
        section 920 of title 10 (article 120 of the Uniform Code of 
        Military Justice), or under the laws of any State relating to 
        aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse, abusive sexual contact 
        involving a minor or ward, or sex trafficking of children, or 
        the production, possession, receipt, mailing, sale, 
        distribution, shipment, or transportation of child pornography, 
        the person shall be fined under this title and imprisoned for 
        not less than 25 years or for life; and
            ``(B) has 2 or more prior convictions under this chapter, 
        chapter 71, chapter 109A, or chapter 117, or under section 920 
        of title 10 (article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military 
        Justice), or under the laws of any State relating to the sexual 
        exploitation of children, the person shall be fined under this 
        title and imprisoned not less than 35 years or for life.
    ``(3) Any organization that violates, or attempts or conspires to 
violate, this section shall be fined under this title.
    ``(4) Whoever, in the course of an offense under this section, 
engages in conduct that results in the death of a person, shall be 
punished by death or imprisoned for not less than 30 years or for 
life.''.
    (d) Certain Activities Relating to Material Involving the Sexual 
Exploitation of Minors.--Section 2252(b) of title 18, United States 
Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by striking ``not more than 20 years'' and 
                inserting ``not more than 40 years''; and
                    (B) by striking ``nor more than 40 years'' and 
                inserting ``or for life''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``for not more than 20 
        years, or if'' and inserting ``for any number of years up to 
        life, or if''.
    (e) Certain Activities Relating to Material Constituting or 
Containing Child Pornography.--Section 2252A(b)(2) of title 18, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ``for not more than 20 years, or 
if'' and inserting ``for any number of years up to life, or if''.
    (f) Interstate Domestic Violence.--Section 2261(b) of title 18, 
United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``for life or any term of 
        years'' and inserting ``for not less than 15 years or for 
        life'';
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``20 years'' and 
        inserting ``25 years''; and
            (3) in paragraph (3), by striking ``10 years'' and 
        inserting ``15 years''.
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