Combat Online Predators Act

Bill: 115-hr-4203
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-8]
Introduced: 2017-11-01
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses

Congressional oversight

Crime victims

Crimes against children

Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation

Criminal procedure and sentencing

Internet and video services

Internet, web applications, social media

Law enforcement administration and funding

State and local government operations
Latest action: action_date: 2018-12-22
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Summaries:
action_date: 2017-11-01
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p> <b>Combat Online Predators Act</b></p> <p>This bill amends the federal criminal code to increase the maximum prison term for a stalking offense, if the victim is under 18 years of age.</p>

tv_txt: I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4203 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 1, 2017 Mr. Fitzpatrick (for himself and Mrs. Murphy of Florida ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To amend title 18, United States Code, with regard to stalking.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Combat Online Predators Act . 2. Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children (a) In general Chapter 110A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 2261A the following: 2261B. Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children If the victim of an offense under section 2261A is under the age of 18 years, the maximum imprisonment for the offense is 5 years greater than the maximum term of imprisonment otherwise provided for that offense in section 2261. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 110A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2261A the following new item: 2261B. Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children. . (c) Conforming amendment Section 2261(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting or section 2262B, as the case may be after provided in subsection (b) . 3. Best practices regarding enforcement of anti-stalking laws to be included in annual report of the Attorney General In the annual report under section 529 of title 28, United States Code, the Attorney General shall— (1) include an evaluation of Federal, tribal, State, and local efforts to enforce laws relating to stalking; and (2) identify and describe those elements of such efforts that constitute the best practices for the enforcement of such laws.

tv_txt: I 115th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4203 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To amend title 18, United States Code, with regard to stalking.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Combat Online Predators Act . 2. Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children (a) In general Chapter 110A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 2261A the following: 2261B. Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children If the victim of an offense under section 2261A is under the age of 18 years, the maximum imprisonment for the offense is 5 years greater than the maximum term of imprisonment otherwise provided for that offense in section 2261. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 110A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2261A the following new item: 2261B. Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children. . (c) Conforming amendment Section 2261A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking section 2261(b) of this title and inserting section 2261(b) or section 2262B, as the case may be . 3. Report on best practices regarding enforcement of anti-stalking laws Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall submit a report to Congress, which shall— (1) include an evaluation of Federal, tribal, State, and local efforts to enforce laws relating to stalking; and (2) identify and describe those elements of such efforts that constitute the best practices for the enforcement of such laws.

Passed the House of Representatives April 10, 2018. Karen L. Haas, Clerk.

tv_txt: IIB 115th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4203 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 11, 2018 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary AN ACT To amend title 18, United States Code, with regard to stalking.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Combat Online Predators Act . 2. Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children (a) In general Chapter 110A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 2261A the following: 2261B. Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children If the victim of an offense under section 2261A is under the age of 18 years, the maximum imprisonment for the offense is 5 years greater than the maximum term of imprisonment otherwise provided for that offense in section 2261. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 110A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2261A the following new item: 2261B. Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children. . (c) Conforming amendment Section 2261A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking section 2261(b) of this title and inserting section 2261(b) or section 2262B, as the case may be . 3. Report on best practices regarding enforcement of anti-stalking laws Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall submit a report to Congress, which shall— (1) include an evaluation of Federal, tribal, State, and local efforts to enforce laws relating to stalking; and (2) identify and describe those elements of such efforts that constitute the best practices for the enforcement of such laws.

Passed the House of Representatives April 10, 2018. Karen L. Haas, Clerk.

tv_txt: IB Union Calendar No. 480 115th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4203 [Report No. 115–627] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 1, 2017 Mr. Fitzpatrick (for himself and Mrs. Murphy of Florida ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary April 10, 2018 Additional sponsors: Mr. Bacon , Mrs. Wagner , Mr. Costello of Pennsylvania , and Mr. Smucker April 10, 2018 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on November 1, 2017 A BILL To amend title 18, United States Code, with regard to stalking.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Combat Online Predators Act . 2. Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children (a) In general Chapter 110A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 2261A the following: 2261B. Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children If the victim of an offense under section 2261A is under the age of 18 years, the maximum imprisonment for the offense is 5 years greater than the maximum term of imprisonment otherwise provided for that offense in section 2261. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 110A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2261A the following new item: 2261B. Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children. . (c) Conforming amendment Section 2261A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking section 2261(b) of this title and inserting section 2261(b) or section 2262B, as the case may be . 3. Report on best practices regarding enforcement of anti-stalking laws Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall submit a report to Congress, which shall— (1) include an evaluation of Federal, tribal, State, and local efforts to enforce laws relating to stalking; and (2) identify and describe those elements of such efforts that constitute the best practices for the enforcement of such laws.

April 10, 2018 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

tv_txt: 115th CONGRESS 2d Session H.R. 4203 In the Senate of the United States, December 22, 2018. Amendment:

That the bill from the House of Representatives (H.R. 4203) entitled An Act to amend title 18, United States Code, with regard to stalking. , do pass with the following Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Combat Online Predators Act . 2. Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children (a) In general Chapter 110A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 2261A the following: 2261B. Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children (a) In general Except as provided in subsection (b), if the victim of an offense under section 2261A is under the age of 18 years, the maximum imprisonment for the offense is 5 years greater than the maximum term of imprisonment otherwise provided for that offense in section 2261. (b) Limitation Subsection (a) shall not apply to a person who violates section 2261A if— (1) the person is subject to a sentence under section 2261(b)(5); and (2) (A) the person is under the age of 18 at the time the offense occurred; or (B) the victim of the offense is not less than 15 nor more than 17 years of age and not more than 3 years younger than the person who committed the offense at the time the offense occurred. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 110A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2261A the following new item: 2261B. Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children. . (c) Conforming amendment Section 2261A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking section 2261(b) of this title and inserting section 2261(b) or section 2262B, as the case may be . 3. Report on best practices regarding enforcement of anti-stalking laws Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall submit a report to Congress, which shall— (1) include an evaluation of Federal, tribal, State, and local efforts to enforce laws relating to stalking; and (2) identify and describe those elements of such efforts that constitute the best practices for the enforcement of such laws.

Secretary