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Amends section 1201 by inserting specified text in subsections (a) and (b) and by adding a defense provision to subsection (g) clarifying that for offenses involving a victim under 16, consent is not a defense unless the offender proves by a preponderance of the evidence a reasonable belief that the victim was 16.
Replaces the phrase 'crosses a State line' with 'travels in interstate or foreign commerce'.
Strikes the phrase ', to include doing so' and inserts 'or' in subsection (3).
Adds subsection (f) creating an offense and penalty for knowingly causing intentional, non-clothed touching of the genitalia of a person who has not attained age 16 in specified federal jurisdictions or facilities, with intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, degrade, or arouse or gratify sexual desire, or attempting to do so.
Amends section 2244 to redesignate paragraphs (1)–(6) as subparagraphs (A)–(F), adjust formatting, modify the introductory wording of paragraph (1) to 'Whoever;', and add a paragraph (2) providing that attempts to commit an offense under paragraph (1) carry the same penalty as completed offenses. Also makes multiple minor insertions and replaces the word 'two' with '2' in subsection (b), and adjusts subsection (c) language to broaden coverage to sexual contact or attempted sexual contact 'with or by' an individual.
Replaces 'a sexual act (as defined in section 2246) with' with 'any conduct involving' and replaces 'sexual act occurred' with 'conduct occurred' in subsection (g)(1).
Amends 18 U.S.C. 250(b) by updating multiple paragraph provisions to (1) change cross-references to specific subparts of section 2244, (2) add explicit coverage for attempts to engage in or cause abusive sexual contact as prohibited by section 2244(a)(2), and (3) include abusive sexual contact of the type prohibited by section 2244(b) while preserving certain exclusions.
Amends 18 U.S.C. 3559 by revising cross-references to section 2244 in sentencing classification subsections: (1) in subsection (c)(2)(F)(i) replaces 'sections 2244(a)(1) and (a)(2)' with 'subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 2244(a)(1)'; and (2) in subsection (e)(2)(A) replaces '2244(a)(1)' with '2244(a)(1)(A)'.
Amends paragraph (2), paragraph (4) (matter preceding subparagraph (A)), paragraph (5) (matter preceding subparagraph (A)), and paragraph (6) (matter preceding subparagraph (A)) of 18 U.S.C. 250(b) to revise cross-references to section 2244 and to add references to attempts and abusive sexual contact described in section 2244(b).
Makes targeted changes to federal criminal law related to sexual offenses against minors and related sentencing rules. It clarifies when interstate or foreign travel brings conduct under federal jurisdiction, creates a specific federal offense for intentional genital touching of someone under 16, restricts the availability of consent as a defense for victims under 16, and treats attempts consistently with completed offenses in several statutes. It also updates cross-references in civil-rights penalty and sentencing provisions so those penalties cover abusive sexual contact and attempts as newly defined.
Received in the House.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Introduced April 8, 2025 by John Cornyn · Last progress October 10, 2025
Held at the desk.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S6843-6844)