Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 05/21/2008 - Received in the House.

Bill Text
A bill to require convicted sex offenders to register online identifiers, and for other purposes. 5/20/2008--Passed Senate amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Keeping the Internet Devoid of Sexual Predators Act of 2008 or the KIDS Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act to require a convicted sex offender to provide for inclusion in the National Sex Offender Registry any electronic mail address or other designation the sex offender uses or will use for self-identification or routing in Internet communication or posting (online identifiers). Grants the Attorney General authority to specify the time and manner for reporting of other changes in registration information, including additions or changes of online identifiers. Amends the federal criminal code to make it unlawful for any person who is required to register as a convicted sex offender to knowingly fail to provide online identifiers for inclusion [...]

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Latest Action: 06/03/2008 - Received in the House.

Bill Text
A bill to protect children from cybercrimes, including crimes by online predators, to enhance efforts to identify and eliminate child pornography, and to help parents shield their children from material that is inappropriate for minors. 5/22/2008--Passed Senate amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act - Title I: Promoting a Safe Internet for Children - (Sec. 101) Declares that the issue of Internet safety includes issues regarding the use of the Internet in a manner that promotes safe online activity for children, protects children from cybercrimes, including crimes by online predators, and helps parents shield their children from material that is inappropriate for minors. (Sec. 102) Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to carry out a nationwide program to increase public awareness and provide education on strategies to promote the safe use of the Internet by children. (Sec. 103) Requires [...]

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Latest Action: 07/07/2008 - Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

Bill Text
A bill to establish a Special Counsel for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction within the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, to improve the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, to increase resources for regional computer forensic labs, and to make other improvements to increase the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute predators. 6/28/2007--Introduced. Combating Child Exploitation Act of 2007 - Requires the Attorney General to appoint a Special Counsel for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction within the Office of Deputy Attorney General to coordinate Department of Justice policies and strategies for the prevention and investigation of child exploitation cases. Establishes within the Office of Justice Programs an Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC Task Force), consisting of state and local task forces (one task force for each state) to address online enticement of children, child exploitation, [...]

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Latest Action: 06/26/2008 - Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology Discharged.

Bill Text
To authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a program to award grants to institutions of higher education for the establishment or expansion of cybersecurity professional development programs, and for other purposes. 1/5/2007--Introduced. Cybersecurity Education Enhancement Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Cybersecurity, to establish, in conjunction with the National Science Foundation, a program to award grants to institutions of higher education for: (1) cybersecurity professional development programs; (2) associate degree programs in cybersecurity; and (3) the purchase of equipment to provide training in cybersecurity for either professional development or degree programs. Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to operate the program. Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary to establish an e-security fellowship program to bring state,[...]

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Latest Action: 06/03/2008 - Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee

Bill Text
To amend title 18, United States Code, to strengthen penalties for child pornography offenses, child sex trafficking offenses, and other sexual offenses committed against children. 6/3/2008--Introduced. Prevention and Deterrence of Crimes Against Children Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to increase criminal penalties for offenses relating to the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography, transportation of minors for illicit sexual purposes, child sex trafficking and prostitution, and sex crimes against children resulting in death. Directs the Attorney General to notify the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security of individuals, including aliens, who are convicted of sex offenses against children. Requires the Secretary of State to deny passports for such individuals and authorizes the Secretary to revoke, restrict, or limit a passport issued to a convicted sex offender if the passport was used to transport a minor for illicit sexual purposes.[...]

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Latest Action: 05/13/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4111-4112)

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to strengthen penalties for child pornography offenses, child sex trafficking offenses, and other sexual offenses committed against children. 5/13/2008--Introduced. Prevention and Deterrence of Crimes Against Children Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to increase criminal penalties for offenses relating to the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography, transportation of minors for illicit sexual purposes, child sex trafficking and prostitution, and sex crimes against children resulting in death. Directs the Attorney General to notify the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security of individuals, including aliens, who are convicted of sex offenses against children. Requires the Secretary of State to deny passports for such individuals and authorizes the Secretary to revoke, restrict, or limit a passport issued to a convicted sex offender if the passport was used in furtherance of sex crimes involving [...]

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Latest Action: 05/12/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
To enhance remedies for violations of intellectual property laws, and for other purposes. 12/5/2007--Introduced. Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2007 - Amends federal copyright law to: (1) provide a safe harbor for copyright registrations that contain inaccurate information; (2) provide that copyright registration requirements apply to civil (not criminal) infringement actions; (3) require courts to issue protective orders to prevent disclosure of seized records relating to copyright infringement; (4) revise standards for civil damages in copyright infringement and counterfeiting cases; and (5) prohibit importing and exporting of infringing copies of copyrighted works. Amends the federal criminal code with respect to intellectual property to: (1) enhance criminal penalties for infringement of a copyright, for trafficking in counterfeit labels or packaging, and for causing serious bodily harm or death while trafficking in counterfeit [...]

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Latest Action: 05/14/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
A bill to direct the Attorney General to provide grants for Internet crime prevention education programs.

5/14/2008--Introduced.

Internet Crime Prevention Act of 2008 - Directs the Attorney General to make grants to i-SAFE, Inc., and to establish and administer competitive grant programs for organizations, to carry out Internet crime prevention education programs. Defines "Internet crime prevention education program" to mean a program for educating parents, children, educators, and communities to recognize and prevent potentially criminal activity on the Internet.

Latest Action: 02/28/2008 - Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.

Bill Text
To provide for the implementation of the recommendations of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. 8/3/2007--Public Law.    (There are 2 other summaries) Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 - Provides for implementation of recommendations of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission).Title I: Homeland Security Grants - (Sec. 101) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA) to establish Homeland Security Grant Programs (consisting of an Urban Area Security Initiative and a State Homeland Security Grant Program). Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security (the Secretary) to award Program grants through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Provides that none of the provisions regarding grants to states and high-risk urban areas shall be construed to affect programs authorized under the Federal Fire Prevention [...]

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Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

Bill Text
To prohibit a convicted sex offender from obtaining approval of immigration petitions filed by the offender on behalf of family members.

1/9/2007--Introduced.

Sex Offender Visa Loophole Elimination Act of 2007 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit a convicted U.S.-citizen sex offender from filing a family-based immigration petition.

Defines "sex offense" and "specified offense against a minor."

Prohibits approval of a fiance/fiancee or waiting nonimmigrant spouse visa petition filed by a convicted sex offender.

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/03/2008 - Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee

Bill Text
To amend title 18, United States Code, to strengthen penalties for child pornography offenses, child sex trafficking offenses, and other sexual offenses committed against children. 6/3/2008--Introduced. Prevention and Deterrence of Crimes Against Children Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to increase criminal penalties for offenses relating to the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography, transportation of minors for illicit sexual purposes, child sex trafficking and prostitution, and sex crimes against children resulting in death. Directs the Attorney General to notify the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security of individuals, including aliens, who are convicted of sex offenses against children. Requires the Secretary of State to deny passports for such individuals and authorizes the Secretary to revoke, restrict, or limit a passport issued to a convicted sex offender if the passport was used to transport a minor for illicit sexual purposes.[...]

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Latest Action: 05/13/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4111-4112)

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to strengthen penalties for child pornography offenses, child sex trafficking offenses, and other sexual offenses committed against children. 5/13/2008--Introduced. Prevention and Deterrence of Crimes Against Children Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to increase criminal penalties for offenses relating to the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography, transportation of minors for illicit sexual purposes, child sex trafficking and prostitution, and sex crimes against children resulting in death. Directs the Attorney General to notify the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security of individuals, including aliens, who are convicted of sex offenses against children. Requires the Secretary of State to deny passports for such individuals and authorizes the Secretary to revoke, restrict, or limit a passport issued to a convicted sex offender if the passport was used in furtherance of sex crimes involving [...]

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Latest Action: 05/14/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
A bill to direct the Attorney General to provide grants for Internet crime prevention education programs.

5/14/2008--Introduced.

Internet Crime Prevention Act of 2008 - Directs the Attorney General to make grants to i-SAFE, Inc., and to establish and administer competitive grant programs for organizations, to carry out Internet crime prevention education programs. Defines "Internet crime prevention education program" to mean a program for educating parents, children, educators, and communities to recognize and prevent potentially criminal activity on the Internet.

Latest Action: 04/16/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 18 of the United States Code to clarify the scope of the child pornography laws and for other purposes.

4/16/2008--Introduced.

Enhancing the Effective Prosecution of Child Pornography Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) include child pornography activities and the production of such pornography for importation into the United States as predicate crimes for money laundering prosecutions; and (2) define "possess" with respect to crimes of child sexual exploitation and child pornography to include accessing by computer visual depictions of child pornography with the intent to view.

Latest Action: 12/07/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S15032)

Bill Text
A bill to clarify conditions for the interceptions of computer trespass communications under the USA-PATRIOT Act. 12/7/2007--Introduced. Computer Trespass Clarification Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) exclude from the definition of "computer trespasser" for purposes of determining the legality of interceptions of computer communications any person who has any relationship with the owner or operator of a protected computer (currently, only persons who have a contractual relationship with the owner or operator of a protected computer are excluded); (2) require the owner or operator of a protected computer to be attempting to respond to communications activity that threatens the integrity or operation of such computer before authorizing the interception of a computer trespasser's communications by a person acting under color of law (e.g., law enforcement officers); and (3) limit the length of warrantless surveillance of a computer trespasser to [...]

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Latest Action: 12/06/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit certain computer-assisted remote hunting, and for other purposes.

12/6/2007--Introduced.

Computer-Assisted Remote Hunting Act - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit and to establish penalties for knowingly making available a computer-assisted remote hunt (i.e., using a computer or other device, equipment, or software to allow a person remotely to control the aiming and discharge of a weapon to kill or injure an animal while not in the physical presence of the weapon).

Latest Action: 05/12/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
To enhance remedies for violations of intellectual property laws, and for other purposes. 12/5/2007--Introduced. Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2007 - Amends federal copyright law to: (1) provide a safe harbor for copyright registrations that contain inaccurate information; (2) provide that copyright registration requirements apply to civil (not criminal) infringement actions; (3) require courts to issue protective orders to prevent disclosure of seized records relating to copyright infringement; (4) revise standards for civil damages in copyright infringement and counterfeiting cases; and (5) prohibit importing and exporting of infringing copies of copyrighted works. Amends the federal criminal code with respect to intellectual property to: (1) enhance criminal penalties for infringement of a copyright, for trafficking in counterfeit labels or packaging, and for causing serious bodily harm or death while trafficking in counterfeit [...]

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Latest Action: 12/18/2007 - Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Bill Text
To amend title 18, United States Code, with respect to data privacy and security, and for other purposes. 11/14/2007--Introduced. Privacy and Cybercrime Enforcement Act of 2007 - Amends federal criminal code provisions relating to computer fraud and unauthorized access to computers to: (1) include computer fraud within the definition of racketeering activity; (2) provide criminal penalties for intentional failures to provide required notices of a security breach involving sensitive personally identifiable information; (3) expand penalties for conspiracies to commit computer fraud and extortion attempts involving threats to access computers without authorization; (4) provide for forfeiture of property used to commit computer fraud; and (5) require restitution for victims of identity theft and computer fraud.Authorizes additional appropriations for investigating and prosecuting criminal activity involving computers. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review [...]

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Latest Action: 11/14/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
To direct the Attorney General to provide grants for Internet crime prevention education programs.

11/13/2007--Passed House without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Directs the Attorney General, subject to the availability of funds, to: (1) provide a grant to i-Safe, Inc., to carry out Internet crime prevention education programs; and (2) create and administer a competitive grants program for organizations to carry out Internet crime prevention education programs. Defines "Internet crime prevention education programs" to mean programs that educate parents, children, educators, and communities about how to recognize and prevent potentially criminal activity on the Internet, including sexual or racial harassment, cyberbullying, sexual exploitation, exposure to pornography, and privacy violations.

Latest Action: 12/03/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
To amend title 18 of the United States Code to clarify the scope of the child pornography laws, and for other purposes.

11/15/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary)

Enhancing the Effective Prosecution of Child Pornography Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) include child pornography activities and the production of such pornography for importation into the United States as predicate crimes for money laundering prosecutions; and (2) define "possess" with respect to crimes of child sexual exploitation and child pornography to include accessing by computer visual depictions of child pornography with the intent to view.