Matthew's Law

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 27, 2003

Matthew's Law - 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 for an enhanced penalty of not less than five levels above the offense level otherwise provided for a crime of violence, if such crime is against a child.Authorizes the Federal Bureau of Investigation to provide to State and local law enforcement authorities assistance in investigating possible homicides of children under age 13.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Cunningham, Randy (Duke) [R-CA-50] · R–CA

Committees

Judiciary Committee

7 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Mar 6, 2003
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Jan 27, 2003
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jan 27, 2003
Introduced in House
Jan 27, 2003
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jan 27, 2003 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 18, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.352 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.

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Discuss H.R.352, 108th Congress: Matthew's Law

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/352

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-01-27.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr352/BILLS-108hr352ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:02:58Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.352 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.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.352 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.352, 108th Congress: Matthew's Law

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/352

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-01-27.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr352/BILLS-108hr352ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:02:58Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.352 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.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.352 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.352, 108th Congress: Matthew's Law

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/352

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-01-27.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr352/BILLS-108hr352ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:02:58Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.352 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.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.352 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.352, 108th Congress: Matthew's Law

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/352

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-01-27.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr352/BILLS-108hr352ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:02:58Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.352 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.