A bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) to protect children against sexual abuse and exploitation received approval from the U.S. Senate on the same day it was introduced. The bill now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.
“Nothing is more evil or unthinkable than the harm of a child,” Sen. Young said. “This bipartisan legislation will strengthen the protection of our children from predators and make sure abusers are prosecuted to the fullest extent for their crimes.”
The Preventing Child Sex Abuse Act of 2023, S. 724, which U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) sponsored on March 8 alongside three original cosponsors, including Sen. Young and U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA), would clarify that crossing state or international boundaries with the “intent to engage” in illicit sexual conduct constitutes a sex tourism offense, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
Additionally, S. 724 would prohibit the use of an affiliation with international charities or organizations to further illicit sexual conduct, and clarify that the definition of “sexual activity” doesn’t require physical contact and may include non-physical sex crimes such as secret video recording, the summary says.
S. 724 also would express the sense of Congress that the safety of children should be a top priority for public officials and communities in the United States, and that Congress has a duty to clarify the laws to better protect children and hold predators accountable.