WashingtonWatch.com - H.R. 3845, The PROTECT Our Children Act of 2007

Comment by Kristopher (October 16, 2008, 01:00:00)

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The bill is being passed to eliminate the INTERNET side of predators. There are laws in motion that eliminate the local predators and those inside the home. This bill is simply created to make restrictions on the internet something we have been seeing more and more of....

Comment by Justina (September 20, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT

This bill does help those that are victims of people close to them. Do you all think that the kids being raped and molested live on the internet are not some of those people OWN CHILDREN?? Look into the bill and facts more and you will find that a lot of those kids that are being broadcasted live in those videos ARE THOSE PEOPLE OWN CHILDREN OR RELATIVES!!!!!!!!!! Support the bill. If we are going to put our money into the faith of anything, it should be for our children....

Comment by Dale (September 16, 2008, 01:00:00)

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT

If it is not strangers who commit these crimes, why are we creating legislation to find strangers? Perhaps a national tipster program for people who suspect a family member is a molester is a better idea to target people than to search everybody else's computer....

Comment by Carolina (September 16, 2008, 01:00:00)

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Dale: Strangers are committing a crime anytime they view or trade photos and videos of children being abused. They are also creating a market for these items which "normalizes" the behavior and allows people close to the victims further avenues to exploit. DO NOT MINIMIZE THE CRIME! Educate yourself about the need for this bill instead of deciding that it's not important. BTW hotlines already exist for people to turn in loved ones. However, some loved ones care more about protecting the violater from prison than protecting an innocent child. That's why this bill is needed....

Comment by traci (September 15, 2008, 01:00:00)

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT

please enforce this bill to protect our babies. if you can send men to the moon you have to be able to find a way to find these demons. put them away on an island somewhere and never let them off. they can not be reformed. the constitution when it was written was not meant to be bent in such a way to protect or give rights to child molesters. wake up. enough is enough. i am the mother of a 22, 18, 8, and 7 year old children. i can not nor will i allow my younger two spend the night at anyone's home. this country is going insane and the world is a very scary place to be in anymore. please help. traci alabama...

Comment by Darlene (May 28, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 28 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I beleive in protecting our children but when it comes to ex's forcing fathers into prisons for sexual molestation in order for them to get full custody, this is wrong. their statements are coerced and to err on the safe side they are convicting innocent men. Not all fathers are molestors. Investagators do not investagate they discriminate.they need to go back to school.and learn that a lie is a lie. truth no longer matters in the court system. Protect our children from the true molestors....

Revision by webmaster (January 11, 2008, 01:00:00)

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

H.R. 3845 would establish a Special Counsel for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction within the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, to improve the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, to increase resources for regional computer forensic labs, and to make other improvements to increase the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute child predators.

Detailed Summary

Providing Resources, Officers, and Technology to Eradicate Cyber Threats to Our Children Act of 2007 or the PROTECT Our Children Act of 2007 - <b>Title I: Special Counsel For Child Exploitation Prevention And Interdiction</b> - (Sec. 101) Directs the Attorney General to appoint a Special Counsel for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction within the Office of the Deputy Attorney General. Sets forth the duties of the Special Counsel, including: (1) coordination of the policies and strategies of the Department of Justice (DOJ) related to the prevention and investigation of child exploitation cases; (2) coordination with other federal agencies, including the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to combat child exploitation crimes; (3) coordination and oversight of the National Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program and the National Internet Crimes Against Children Data Network Center established by this Act; (4) providing training and technical assistance for law enforcement agencies to combat child exploitation crimes; and (5) developing and overseeing research programs for child exploitation prevention.

(Sec. 102) Establishes with DOJ a National Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC)Task Force Program consisting of state and local task forces (including at least one ICAC Task Force for each state) to address online enticement of children, child exploitation, and child obscenity and pornography cases.

(Sec. 103) Sets forth the purposes of the Program, including: (1) increasing the investigative capabilities of state and local law enforcement officers in the detection, investigation, and apprehension of child exploitation crimes facilitated by the Internet; (2) providing training and technical assistance to ICAC task forces and other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies; (3) increasing the number of Internet crimes against children offenses to be investigated and prosecuted; (4) enhancing nationwide response to Internet crimes against children offenses; and (5) developing and delivering Internet crimes against children public awareness and prevention programs.

(Sec. 104) Sets forth the duties and functions of state and local ICAC task forces relating to investigations, forensic examinations, and prosecutions of Internet crimes against children,

(Sec. 105) Directs the Attorney General to establish a National Internet Crimes Against Children Data Network Center to assist the National ICAC Task Force Program and federal, state, local, and tribal agencies investigating and prosecuting child exploitation. Requires the Center to develop and maintain an technology and training program to provide: (1) a secure system of online communications between ICAC task forces and federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies regarding ongoing investigations; (2) a secure online system for resolving case conflicts; (3) a secure data storage and analysis system; and (4) guidelines and technical assistance for the use of the Center by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

Directs the Attorney General to establish an ICAC Data Network Center Steering Committee.

Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2016.

(Sec. 106) Authorizes the Office of Justice Programs to award grants to state and local ICAC task forces. Sets forth criteria for the distribution of ICAC grants funds.

Requires state or local ICAC task forces receiving grants to submit annual reports to the Attorney General on the operations of such task forces.

Requires the Attorney General to report to Congress on: (1) the progress of ICAC task forces; and (2) the number of federal and state investigations, prosecutions, and convictions in the prior 12-month period related to child exploitation.

(Sec. 107) Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2016.

<b>Title II: Additional Measures to Combat Child Exploitation </b>- (Sec. 201) Requires the Attorney General to: (1) establish additional computer forensic capacity to address the current backlog for computer forensics, including for child exploitation investigations; and (2) report to Congress annually on the use of funds for such purpose. Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2016.

(Sec. 202) Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2016 for the hiring of additional Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents and personnel to work solely on child exploitation cases as part of the FBI's Innocent Images National Initiative.

(Sec. 203) Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2006 for the hiring of additional full-time personnel in the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Postal Service to work solely on child exploitation and child obscenity cases.

(Sec. 205) Requires the Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Postmaster General, to report annually to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees on the resources used by federal agencies to investigate and prosecute child exploitation and child obscenity cases.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 11/15/2007: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Points in Favor

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)

Points Against

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)

Comment by R2R (January 9, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

I was a child that wasn't protected!!! It's horrible to know that any child should have to ever go thru being molested by anyone!! It's an awful and very hard to recover from. It is with you your WHOLE life, not a second goes by that it doesn't affect a child that has endured such pain. I believe all that do this, man woman, should be punished to the maximum heights. DEATH!!!!!!!! Be it thru computers, family members, preachers, teachers, friends. You have to be an extremly sick and twisted individual to get your thrills and kicks from harming innocent children. I believe public hangings and immediate executions should be brought back. Maybe then our children would be safe. And the PREDATORS will be HISTORY for good....

Comment by Jennifer Ferreira (January 7, 2008, 01:00:00)

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

The focus needs to go on the true predators and purveyors of child pornography, those who commit the act against a child and those who profit from it. These laws are doing nothing to protect children from whom they are REALLY in danger of- over 90% of children are molested by someone they know, whether a family member, coach, teacher or other person of authority. Stop this madness and focus on STOPPING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY by making it UNAVAILABLE, PERIOD! Individuals and families are being destroyed by these harsh punishments! I urge Congress and the people of the U.S. to focus on TRUE PREDATORS!!!!!!!!!!!!!...

Revision by webmaster (November 16, 2007, 01:00:00)

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

Detailed Summary

Providing Resources, Officers, and Technology to Eradicate Cyber Threats to Our Children Act of 2007 or the PROTECT Our Children Act of 2007 - Requires the Attorney General to appoint a Special Counsel for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction within the Office of Deputy Attorney General to coordinate Department of Justice (DOJ) policies and strategies for the prevention and investigation of child exploitation cases.

Establishes within the Office of Justice Programs in DOJ an Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC Task Force), consisting of state and local task forces (one task force for each state) to address online enticement of children, child exploitation, and child obscenity and pornography cases.

Requires the Attorney General to establish a National Internet Crimes Against Children Data Network Center to assist the ICAC Task Force program and federal, state, local, and tribal agencies investigating and prosecuting child exploitation.

Authorizes the Office of Justice Programs to award grants to state and local ICAC task forces to combat Internet crimes against children.

Requires the Attorney General to establish additional computer forensic capacity to address backlogs, including for child exploitation investigations.

Authorizes funding for additional agents and personnel for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Requires the Attorney General to report to Congress annually on resources used to investigate and prosecute child exploitation and child obscenity cases.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 11/15/2007: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Points in Favor

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)

Points Against

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)

Revision by webmaster (November 15, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

Detailed Summary

Authorizes the Office of Justice Programs to award grants to state and local ICAC task forces to combat Internet crimes against children.

Requires the Attorney General to establish additional computer forensic capacity to address backlogs, including for child exploitation investigations.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 11/14/2007: Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 415 - 2 (Roll no. 1091).

Points in Favor

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)

Points Against

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)

Status as of November 15, 2007

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

11/15/2007: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Revision by webmaster (November 14, 2007, 01:00:00)

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

Detailed Summary

Authorizes the Office of Justice Programs to award grants to state and local ICAC task forces to combat Internet crimes against children.

Requires the Attorney General to establish additional computer forensic capacity to address backlogs, including for child exploitation investigations.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 11/13/2007: House floor actions. Status: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

Points in Favor

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)

Points Against

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)

Status as of November 14, 2007

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

11/14/2007: Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 415 - 2 (Roll no. 1091).

Revision by webmaster (November 13, 2007, 01:00:00)

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

Detailed Summary

Authorizes the Office of Justice Programs to award grants to state and local ICAC task forces to combat Internet crimes against children.

Requires the Attorney General to establish additional computer forensic capacity to address backlogs, including for child exploitation investigations.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 10/16/2007: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Points in Favor

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)

Points Against

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)

Status as of November 13, 2007

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

11/13/2007: House floor actions. Status: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

Revision by webmaster (October 17, 2007, 01:00:00)

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Detailed Summary

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)

Status of the Legislation

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to update the status of the bill!)

Points in Favor

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)

Points Against

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)

Revision by webmaster (October 17, 2007, 01:00:00)

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Detailed Summary

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 10/16/2007: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Points in Favor

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)

Points Against

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)

Status as of October 16, 2007

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EDT

10/16/2007: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Status as of October 16, 2007

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EDT

10/16/2007: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.