Public Law 116–249: To amend title 18, United States Code, with regard to stalking.

public-law-116-249Public Law 116-249Statute

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PUBLIC LAW 116–249—DEC. 22, 2020
134 STAT. 1126
Public Law
116–249
116th Congress
An Act
To amend title 18, United States Code, with regard to stalking.

Dec. 22, 2020

[S. 134]

  Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa­tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

Combat Online Predators Act.
SECTION 1.

18 USC 1 note.

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.

18 USC 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 beginning of chapter 110A of title 18, United States Code,

22 USC 2261 prec.

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—134 STAT. 1127
(1)

Evaluation.

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.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 134:

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD:

Vol. 165 (2019):

Oct. 28, considered and passed Senate.

Vol. 166 (2020):

Dec. 8, considered and passed House.

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