PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Sep 19, 2002
Child Abduction Prevention Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to increase the authorized term of supervised release after imprisonment to any term of years or life imprisonment for certain sex offenses, including specified offenses involving children.Includes murder committed in perpetration of child abuse or as part of a pattern of assault or torture against children as first degree murder.Increases: (1) maximum penalties for specified offenses involving sexual abuse or exploitation of children; and (2) sentences for kidnaping.Prohibits: (1) traveling into the United States for the purpose of engaging in an illicit sexual act with another (currently, with a juvenile); (2) traveling in foreign commerce and engaging in such sexual conduct; or (3) arranging or facilitating such travel knowing its purpose.Provides for mandatory life imprisonment of a person convicted of a Federal sex offense in which a minor is the victim if the person has a prior sex conviction in which a minor was the victim, unless a death sentence is imposed.Authorizes the interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications in the investigation of kidnaping and specified child sex crimes.Eliminates statutes of limitations for child abduction and specified sex offenses.Amends the Crime Control Act of 1990 to require each Federal, State, and local law enforcement agency to report each case of a missing child under age 21 (currently, 18) reported to such agency to the Department of Justice's (DOJ) National Crime Information Center.Directs the Attorney General to: (1) report on inspections of the records of pornography producers and resulting prosecutions; and (2) assign a DOJ officer to act as national coordinator of the AMBER Alert communications network regarding abducted children. Authorizes State grants for: (1) notification and communication systems along highways for recovery of abducted children; and (2) programs to support AMBER alert communication plans.Authorizes: (1) increased appropriations for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; and (2) the use of COPS (community policing) grants for sex offender registration enforcement.
People & committees
Rep. Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr. [R-WI-9] · R–WI
Legislative record
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Received in the Senate.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 390 - 24 (Roll no. 446). (text: CR 10/7/2002 H7048-7050)
House roll call 446 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 390 - 24 (Roll no. 446).(text: CR 10/7/2002 H7048-7050)
House roll call 446 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7187)
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
Executive Comment Requested from DOD.
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5422.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7048-7053)
Mr. Sensenbrenner moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
House Committee on Education and the Workforce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Oct. 8, 2002.
House Committee on Armed Services Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Oct. 8, 2002.
House Committee on Transportation Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Oct. 8, 2002.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 107-723, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 107-723, Part I.
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.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Armed Services, and Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Armed Services, and Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Armed Services, and Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Armed Services, and Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Armed Services, and Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Jul 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.5422 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.5422 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.5422 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.5422 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.