Combat Online Predators Act

134 STAT. 1126 PUBLIC LAW 116–249—DEC. 22, 2020 Public Law 116–249 116th Congress An Act To amend title 18, United States Code, with regard to stalking. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Combat Online Predators Act’’. SEC. 2. ENHANCED PENALTY FOR STALKERS OF CHILDREN. (a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 110A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 2261A the following: ‘‘§ 2261B. Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection (b), if the victim of an offense under section 2261A is under the age of 18 years, the maximum imprisonment for the offense is 5 years greater than the maximum term of imprisonment otherwise provided for that offense in section 2261. ‘‘(b) LIMITATION.—Subsection (a) shall not apply to a person who violates section 2261A if— ‘‘(1) the person is subject to a sentence under section 2261(b)(5); and ‘‘(2)(A) the person is under the age of 18 at the time the offense occurred; or ‘‘(B) the victim of the offense is not less than 15 nor more than 17 years of age and not more than 3 years younger than the person who committed the offense at the time the offense occurred.’’. (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin- ning of chapter 110A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2261A the following new item: ‘‘2261B. Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children.’’. (c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 2261A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘section 2261(b) of this title’’ and inserting ‘‘section 2261(b) or section 2261B, as the case may be’’. SEC. 3. REPORT ON BEST PRACTICES REGARDING ENFORCEMENT OF ANTI-STALKING LAWS. Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall submit a report to Congress, which shall— 22 USC 2261 prec. 18 USC 2261B. 18 USC 1 note. Combat Online Predators Act. Dec. 22, 2020 [S. 134] VerDate Sep 11 2014 13:15 Dec 29, 2020 Jkt 019139 PO 00249 Frm 00001 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6581 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL249.116 PUBL249 wwoods2 on LAPJF8D0R2PROD with PUBLAW 134 STAT. 1127 PUBLIC LAW 116–249—DEC. 22, 2020 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 134: CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: Vol. 165 (2019): Oct. 28, considered and passed Senate. Vol. 166 (2020): Dec. 8, considered and passed House. Æ (1) include an evaluation of Federal, Tribal, State, and local efforts to enforce laws relating to stalking; and (2) identify and describe those elements of such efforts that constitute the best practices for the enforcement of such laws. Approved December 22, 2020. Evaluation. VerDate Sep 11 2014 13:15 Dec 29, 2020 Jkt 019139 PO 00249 Frm 00002 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6580 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL249.116 PUBL249 wwoods2 on LAPJF8D0R2PROD with PUBLAW