Congress is back in session and up to their old tricks, sex offenders and sex offenses are being focused on. Here are all the bills that Congress will be hearing this week, affecting sex offender issues:
Rep Smith has changed the title of his International Megan's law bill to "International Megan's Law to Prevent Demand for Child Sex Trafficking" likely because his fellow Republicans are trying to pass legislation on Sex Trafficking; pretty sneaky. But it is the same bill I earlier reported HERE just with bill title changed.
The essence of the bill: Notice there is no summary of this bill. Even folks in Congress are not sure where this bill is going. Please refer to my earlier review.
On to other Sex Trafficking bills: Normally we would not show the bills below, but do so today to show how Rep Smith is trying to get his International Megan's Law bill through on the backs of other legislation.
Rep Poe, HR-3530 "Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2013"
The essence of the bill: Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2013 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose an additional penalty of $5,000 on any person or entity convicted of crimes relating to: (1) peonage, slavery, and trafficking in persons; (2) sexual abuse; (3) sexual exploitation and other abuse of children; (4) transportation for illegal sexual activity; or (5) human smuggling in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Establishes in the Treasury the Domestic Trafficking Victims' Fund into which such penalties shall be deposited and which shall be used in FY2015-FY2019 to award grants or enhance victims' programming under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005, and the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990. Allots funds to provide services for child pornography victims.
Rep Paulsen, HR-3610 "Stop Exploitation Through Trafficking Act of 2014"
The essence of the bill: Requires each state, within three years, to have in effect legislation that: (1) treats a minor who has engaged or attempted to engage in a commercial sex act as a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons, (2) discourages the charging or prosecution of such an individual for a prostitution or sex trafficking offense, and (3) encourages the diversion of such individual to child protection services. Authorizes the Attorney General to withhold specified Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds from a state that fails to comply with such requirement.
Rep Reichert, HR-4058 "Preventing Sex Trafficking and Improving Opportunities for Youth in Foster Care Act"
The essence of the bill: Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require the state plan for foster care and adoption assistance to demonstrate that the state has developed policies and procedures for identifying and screening, and for determining appropriate state action and services with respect to, children over whom the state agency has responsibility for placement, care, or supervision who the state has reasonable cause to believe are victims of sex trafficking or a severe form of trafficking in persons, or are at risk of being such victims. Authorizes a state, at its option, to identify and screen any individual under age 26 without regard to whether the individual is or was in foster care under state responsibility.
Rep Wagner, HR-4225 "SAVE Act of 2014"
The essence of the bill: Stop Advertising Victims of Exploitation Act of 2014 or the SAVE Act of 2014 - Prohibits knowingly benefitting financially from, receiving anything of value from, or distributing advertising that offers a commercial sex act in a manner that violates federal criminal code prohibitions against sex trafficking of children or of any person by force, fraud, or coercion. Subjects violators to a fine, imprisonment of up to five years, or both. Grants U.S. courts extra-territorial jurisdiction over such an offense if an alleged offender is a U.S. national or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence or if an alleged offender is present in the United States, irrespective of the offender's nationality.
Folks need to remember, what happens in Congress WILL eventually trickle down to the States, and WILL affect state registrants when, or if, they do the things Congress is making laws on today.
So please take the time to pick up the phone and call your respective Representatives and Senators, and voice your opinion on ONE or MANY of the bills being considered. YES, your opinions count, voice them today, don't wait till they affect you because then it will be too late.
These need everyone's attention immediately.
Have a great day and a better tomorrow.
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