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Makes changes to federal criminal sex-offense laws by removing consent as a defense for certain offenses against victims under 16, creating a new federal offense for intentional genital touching of persons under 16 in specified federal jurisdictions, and broadening statutory language that covers abusive sexual contact. It also updates cross-references in existing civil‑rights and sentencing provisions and clarifies that one of the amendments applies retroactively to conduct before, on, or after enactment.
The bill is short and focused: it tightens criminal coverage for sexual contact with minors and fixes statute cross‑references so penalties and sentencing classifications explicitly include abusive sexual contact and related attempts.
Amends section 1201: (1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting after [unspecified text]; (2) in subsection (b), by inserting after [unspecified text]; and (3) in subsection (g), by adding a defense provision concerning victims under age 16.
Replaces phrase describing interstate nexus for section 2241(c).
Modifies subsection 2242(3) by replacing text fragment.
Adds new subsection (f) creating an offense and penalty for intentional, non-clothed touching of the genitalia of a person who has not attained the age of 16 years in specified federal jurisdictions, including attempt and cross-references to related sections.
Makes multiple amendments to section 2244: redesignates paragraphs (1)-(6) as subparagraphs (A)-(F); replaces certain introductory text with an '(1) In general' clause; adds an '(2) Attempt' clause providing that attempts are subject to the same penalties as completed offenses; inserts unspecified text in subsection (b); replaces the word 'two' with the numeral '2' in subsection (b); and changes subsection (c) language to cover sexual contact or attempted sexual contact 'with or by an individual' and adjusts cross-reference language.
Alters the statutory language in 2423(f)(1) to broaden/replace phrasing regarding the underlying conduct.
Amends section 250(b) by modifying multiple paragraphs to change references to offenses in section 2244 and to add references to attempts to engage in or cause abusive sexual contact. Specifically: (1) in paragraph (2), strikes "section 2244(a)(5)," and inserts "section 2244(a)(1)(E), or an attempt to engage in or cause such contact as prohibited by section 2244(a)(2),"; (2) in paragraph (4), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), strikes "subsection (a)(1) or (b) of section 2244, but excluding abusive sexual contact through the clothing" and inserts "section 2244(a)(1)(A), an attempt to engage in or cause such contact as prohibited by section 2244(a)(2), or abusive sexual contact of the type prohibited by section 2244(b), but excluding abusive sexual contact through the clothing or an attempt to engage in or cause such contact"; (3) in paragraph (5), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), strikes "section 2244(a)(2)" and inserts "section 2244(a)(1)(B) or an attempt to engage in or cause such contact as prohibited by section 2244(a)(2)"; and (4) in paragraph (6), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), strikes "subsection (a)(3), (a)(4), or (b) of section 2244" and inserts "subparagraph (C) or (D) of section 2244(a)(1), an attempt to engage in or cause such contact as prohibited by section 2244(a)(2), or abusive sexual contact of the type prohibited by section 2244(b)".
Amends section 3559 by revising statutory cross-references in two subsections: (1) in subsection (c)(2)(F)(i), strikes "sections 2244(a)(1) and (a)(2)" and inserts "subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 2244(a)(1)"; and (2) in subsection (e)(2)(A), strikes "2244(a)(1)" and inserts "2244(a)(1)(A)".
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced April 8, 2025 by Troy E. Nehls · Last progress April 8, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House