Rep. Laurel Lee
The U.S. House Judiciary Committee on Jan. 13 unanimously passed a bipartisan bill led by U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee (R-FL) to bolster federal efforts to identify child victims of online sexual exploitation.
The Renewed Hope Act, H.R. 6998, which is cosponsored by U.S. Reps. Mike Carey (R-OH) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), now advances to the full U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.
“The bipartisan vote in the Judiciary Committee moves us one step closer to delivering real help to children who have been exploited and remain unidentified,” Rep. Lee said. “The Renewed Hope Act ensures law enforcement has the specialized personnel needed to find victims, rescue them, and hold predators accountable.”
If enacted, H.R. 6998 would strengthen the federal government’s ability to identify children depicted in child sexual abuse material by expanding the hiring and retention of specialized victim identification personnel within the federal Homeland Security Investigations office.
“Children must be protected from the staggering rise in digital predators who seek to exploit them. That means expanding efforts to identify and support these child victims of online abuse,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz.
The legislation is supported by the Tim Tebow Foundation.