HR 2735

The Strengthening Child Exploitation Enforcement Act amends federal criminal laws to combat the exploitation of minors. Specifically, it clarifies that kidnapping can occur through fraud or deception, and that a victim’s consent cannot be a defense unless the offender reasonably believed the victim was over 16. The bill also expands the definition of sexual abuse to include knowingly causing intentional touching of a minor by an adult, and criminalizes attempting to commit abusive sexual contact. It aims to strengthen penalties and broaden the scope of offenses related to child sexual exploitation, particularly across international borders.