Pub. L. 116-249 - Combat Online Predators Act

116th Congress

Affects: 18 U.S.C. §§ 2261A

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Combat Online Predators Act”.

SEC. 2. ENHANCED PENALTY FOR STALKERS OF CHILDREN.

(a) Chapter 110A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 2261A the following:

(a) “§ 2261B.18 USC 2261B. Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children“(a) In General.—Except as provided in subsection (b), if the victim of an offense under section 2261A is under the age of 18 years, the maximum imprisonment for the offense is 5 years greater than the maximum term of imprisonment otherwise provided for that offense in section 2261. “(b) Limitation.—Subsection (a) shall not apply to a person who violates section 2261A if—“(1) the person is subject to a sentence under section 2261(b)(5); and “(2)(A) the person is under the age of 18 at the time the offense occurred; or “(B) the victim of the offense is not less than 15 nor more than 17 years of age and not more than 3 years younger than the person who committed the offense at the time the offense occurred.”

(a) .

(b) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 110A of title 18, United States Code, 22 USC 2261 prec.is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2261A the following new item:

(b) “2261B. Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children.”.

(c) Section 2261A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking “section 2261(b) of this title” and inserting “section 2261(b) or section 2261B, as the case may be”.

SEC. 3. REPORT ON BEST PRACTICES REGARDING ENFORCEMENT OF ANTI-STALKING LAWS.

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall submit a report to Congress, which shall—

(1) include an evaluation of Federal, Tribal, State, and local efforts to enforce laws relating to stalking; and

(2) identify and describe those elements of such efforts that constitute the best practices for the enforcement of such laws.

Legislative History

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 134:

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD:

Oct. 28, considered and passed Senate.

Dec. 8, considered and passed House.