Combat Online Predators Act
PL 116-249 (S.134), enacted 12/22/2020

[116th Congress Public Law 249]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



[[Page 134 STAT. 1126]]

Public Law 116-249
116th Congress

                                 An Act


 
          To amend title 18, United States Code, with regard to 
             stalking. <<NOTE: Dec. 22, 2020 -  [S. 134]>> 

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Combat Online 
Predators Act.>> 
SECTION 1. <<NOTE: 18 USC 1 note.>>  SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Combat Online Predators Act''.
SEC. 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:
``Sec. 2261B. <<NOTE: 18 USC 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, <<NOTE: 22 USC 2261 
prec.>> 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 2261B, as the case may be''.
SEC. 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--

[[Page 134 STAT. 1127]]

            (1) <<NOTE: Evaluation.>>  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.

    Approved December 22, 2020.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 134:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD:
                                                        Vol. 165 (2019):
                                    Oct. 28, considered and passed 
                                        Senate.
                                                        Vol. 166 (2020):
                                    Dec. 8, considered and passed House.

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