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Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 13, 2003
Prosecutorial Remedies and Tools Against the Exploitation of Children Today Act of 2003 (PROTECT Act) - Amends Federal criminal code provisions regarding child pornography to prohibit: (1) advertising, promoting, distributing, or soliciting in interstate or foreign commerce any material in a manner that conveys the impression that it contains an obscene visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct; or (2) knowingly offering or providing to a minor any such visual depiction to induce such minor to participate in any illegal activity.Makes certain information identifying minors depicted in child pornography inadmissible and subject to redaction from any otherwise admissible evidence in any prosecution of such an act.Modifies the definition of: (1) "minor" to provide that it shall not be construed to require proof of the actual identity of the person under age 18; (2) "child pornography" to include any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct that is of a minor engaging in bestiality, sadistic or masochistic abuse, or sexual intercourse; that lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value; or the production of which involves the use of an identifiable minor; (3) "identifiable minor" to include a computer generated image that is virtually indistinguishable from an actual minor; and (4) "produces" to cover computer generated images.Increases penalties for violating prohibitions against sexual exploitation of children.Amends the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 to authorize disclosure of child pornography by an electronic communication service provider to State officials and to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.Sets penalties for using or inducing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct outside of the United States to produce any visual depiction of such conduct for transportation to the United States.Authorizes civil remedies for child pornography offenses.Makes persons previously convicted of obscenity eligible for enhanced recidivist penalties for sexual child exploitation.Directs the Attorney General to appoint 25 additional trial attorneys for investigation and prosecution of Federal child pornography laws.
People & committees
Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT] · R–UT
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 108-21.
Became Public Law No: 108-21.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate agreed to conference report by Yea-Nay Vote. 98 - 0. Record Vote Number: 132.
Senate roll call 132 · Individual votesConference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report by Yea-Nay Vote. 98 - 0. Record Vote Number: 132.
Senate roll call 132 · Individual votesConference report considered in Senate by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5113-5135, S5137-5157)
Conference papers: message on House action held at the desk in Senate.
Motions to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 400 - 25, 2 Present (Roll no. 127). (text of conference report: CR 4/09/2003 CR H2950-2968)
House roll call 127 · Individual votesConference report agreed to in House: On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 400 - 25, 2 Present (Roll no. 127).(text of conference report: CR 4/09/2003 CR H2950-2968)
House roll call 127 · Individual votesThe previous question was ordered without objection.
The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the conference report.
Mr. Sensenbrenner brought up conference report H. Rept. 108-66 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res. 188. (consideration: CR H3066-3076)
Rule H. Res. 188 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 188 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of the conference report to S. 151. All points of order against the conference report and against its consideration are waived. The conference report shall be considered as read.
Conference papers: Senate report and manager's statement held at the desk in Senate.
Conference report H. Rept. 108-66 filed. (text of conference report: CR H2950-2968)
Conference report filed: Conference report H. Rept. 108-66 filed.(text of conference report: CR H2950-2968)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate disagreed to House amendments, agreed to request for conference, and appointed conferees. Hatch; Grassley; Sessions; Graham SC; Leahy; Kennedy; Biden. by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4872)
The Speaker appointed conferees - from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for consideration of sec. 303 and title IV of the House amendments, and modifications committed to conference: Young (AK), Petri, and Matheson.
The Speaker appointed conferees - from the Committee on Education and the Workforce for consideration of sec. 8 of the Senate bill and secs. 222, 305, and 508 of the House amendments, and modifications committed to conference: Hoekstra, Gingrey, and Hinojosa.
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendments to Senate bill and House requests a conference.
The Speaker appointed a conferee for consideration of the Senate bill and House amendments, and modifications committed to conference: Frost.
The Speaker appointed conferees - from the Committee on the Judiciary for consideration of the Senate bill and the House amendments, and modifications committed to conference: Sensenbrenner, Coble, Smith (TX), Green (WI), Hart, Conyers, and Scott (VA).
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion that the House instruct conferees Agreed to by voice vote. (consideration: CR H2443)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Scott (VA) motion to instruct conferees.
Mr. Scott (VA) moved that the House instruct conferees.
On motion that the House insist upon its amendments, and request a conference Agreed to without objection.
Mr. Sensenbrenner moved that the House insist upon its amendments, and request a conference.
A similar measure H.R. 1104 was laid on the table without objection.
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H2440-2443)
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.(text: CR H2440-2443)
The House struck all after the enacting clause and inserted in lieu thereof the provisions of a similar measure H.R. 1104. Agreed to without objection.
Considered by unanimous consent.
Mr. Sensenbrenner asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.
Committee on Judiciary discharged. (consideration: CR H2440-2443)
Committee on Judiciary discharged.(consideration: CR H2440-2443)
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with amendments by Yea-Nay Vote. 84 - 0. Record Vote Number: 35. (text: CR S2587-2590)
Senate roll call 35 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Yea-Nay Vote. 84 - 0. Record Vote Number: 35.(text: CR S2587-2590)
Senate roll call 35 · Individual votesMeasure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2573-2590; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S2573-2576)
By Senator Hatch from Committee on the Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 108-2. Additional views filed.
By Senator Hatch from Committee on the Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 108-2. Additional views filed.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 7.
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Hatch with amendments. Without written report.
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Hatch with amendments. Without written report.
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S237-239)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S236-237)
Introduced in Senate
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Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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