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119-s-1333119th Congress

Strengthening Child Exploitation Enforcement Act

Sponsored By: Senator Cornyn, John [R-TX]

Passed Senate

Summary

Expands federal criminal coverage and penalties for kidnapping and sexual offenses against minors. It narrows consent defenses for victims under 16, adds deceptive abductions and intentional touching of children to federal offenses, and brings attempts and related conduct into federal liability.

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  • Families and children: More conduct involving minors becomes federally prosecutable, including obtaining a child by defrauding or deceiving another person and intentional touching of someone under 16. This raises the range of actions that can trigger federal charges.
  • Defendants and prosecutions: The bill would limit consent as a defense for victims under 16 unless the offender proves a reasonable belief the child was 16 or older. It also makes attempts, conspiracies, and interstate or foreign travel connected to these offenses easier to charge.
  • Sentencing and civil rights penalties: Federal sentencing classifications and civil rights penalties are realigned to match the expanded offenses so that penalties reflect the broader scope of conduct. Effective-date language covers conduct before, on, or after enactment where specified.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Broader federal reach for child sexual abuse

If enacted, federal prosecutors would have wider reach in child sexual abuse cases. Attempts and conduct a person causes would count the same as completed acts. The travel rule would change to traveling in interstate or foreign commerce instead of crossing a State line. That rule would apply to acts before, on, or after enactment. The travel-with-intent law would cover any conduct involving sexual exploitation, not just a narrow sexual act. Related civil-rights penalties and sentencing references would be updated.

Kidnapping by trick treated as kidnapping

If enacted, taking someone by fraud or deception would count as federal kidnapping. Prosecutors would be able to charge kidnappings done by trick, not only by force. This change would take effect upon enactment.

New crime for sexual touching in federal places

If enacted, it would be a federal crime in certain federal places to cause a person under 16 to intentionally touch someone’s genitalia without clothing. The rule would apply on federal lands, in federal prisons, and in facilities held under federal contracts. It would also cover attempts. Penalties would follow existing law for fines and prison.

Tighter age defense for under 16

If enacted, consent would not be a defense when the victim is under 16. A defendant would have to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that they reasonably believed the victim was at least 16. This change would take effect upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cornyn, John [R-TX]

TX • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 9/19/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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