PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Congressional Research Service
Version 36 · Passed House amended · May 7, 1996
Crimes Against Children and Elderly Persons Increased Punishment Act - Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to direct the United States Sentencing Commission to amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide a sentencing enhancement of not less than: (1) five levels above the offense level otherwise provided for a crime of violence, including crimes of violence involving the environment, if such crime is against a child, elderly person, or other vulnerable person; or (2) six levels above if the crime is also a sex crime against a child. Amber Hagerman Child Protection Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal criminal code to apply prohibitions and penalties for aggravated sexual abuse of a person under age 12 and for sexual abuse of a person between the ages of 12 and 16 to any person who: (1) crosses a State line with intent to engage in a sexual act with such minor; or (2) knowingly engages, or attempts to engage, in such an act in interstate or foreign commerce. Directs that a defendant previously convicted of another Federal offense of sexual abuse or aggravated sexual abuse of a minor or of a State offense that would have been such an offense had it occurred in a Federal prison be sentenced to life imprisonment, unless the death penalty is imposed. (Sec. 5) Requires imposition of life imprisonment upon anyone who violates provisions regarding aggravated sexual abuse (or engages in conduct that would be a violation of such provisions if the offense had occurred in the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States) after previously having been convicted of another State or Federal sexual abuse offense (or conduct which would have been such an offense if the offense had occurred in such jurisdiction) if: (1) such conduct occurs in interstate or foreign commerce; (2) the defendant crossed a State line with intent to engage in the conduct; or (3) the defendant fled prosecution of such offense. (Sec. 6) James Guelff Body Armor Act of 1996 - Directs the Commission to amend sentencing guidelines to provide an appropriate sentencing enhancement for any crime of violence against a vulnerable person (including a law enforcement officer) in which the defendant used body armor. (Sec. 7) Directs the Commission to amend sentencing guidelines (and, if appropriate, policy statements) to require an enhanced sentence for a defendant convicted of committing a crime of violence against a vulnerable person while in possession of a firearm with a laser sighting device.
People & committees
Rep. Chrysler, Dick [R-MI-8] · R–MI
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Received in the Senate.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 2974.
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 414 - 4 (Roll no. 148).
House roll call 148 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 414 - 4 (Roll no. 148).
House roll call 148 · Individual votesThe House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2974.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Steven C. LaTourette to act as Chairman of the Committee.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 421 and Rule XXIII.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2974 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Providing for consideration of the bill in the Committee of the Whole. Bill is open to amendments. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill. The resolution makes in order a specific amendment, consisting of the text of H.R. 3180 (Amber Hagerman Child Protection Act of 1996), and waives points of order against the amendment for failure to comply with clause 7 of rule XVI.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 421. (consideration: CR H4467-4493)
Rule H. Res. 421 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 421 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2974 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Providing for consideration of the bill in the Committee of the Whole. Bill is open to amendments. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill. The resolution makes in order a specific amendment, consisting of the text of H. R. 3180 (Amber Hagerman Child Protection Act of 1996), and waives points of order against the amendment for failure to comply with clause 7 of rule XVI.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 265.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 104-548.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 104-548.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1778)
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze H.R.2974 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.2974 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.2974 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.2974 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.