PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.
H.R.454 / 105th Congress

Crimes Against Children and Elderly Persons Increased Punishment Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 21, 1997

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. (Sec. 3) James Guelff Body Armor Act of 1997 - 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. 4) 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.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Rep. Ackerman, Gary L. [D-NY-5] · D–NY

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

    Actions

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

    1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.

    2. Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

    3. Introduced in House

    4. Introduced in House

    Bill text & related measures

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

    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 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

    Explore the bill from different angles

    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.

    Neutral evidence review

    Objective

    Analyze H.R.454 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.

    View full prompt & sources
    Fairness and public impact

    Progressive lens

    Examine H.R.454 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
    Institutions and government scope

    Conservative lens

    Examine H.R.454 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
    Individual rights and government power

    Liberty lens

    Examine H.R.454 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