Bill > S4719

This bill, the Preventing Child Sex Abuse Act of 2022, aims to strengthen laws and protections against the sexual abuse and exploitation of minors. It amends Section 2423 of Title 18 of the United States Code to clarify that the "intent" to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor is sufficient for prosecution, rather than requiring that such intent be the "primary, significant, dominant, or motivating purpose" of the travel. The bill also creates a new provision to prohibit American citizens or permanent residents who are affiliated with organizations that affect interstate or foreign commerce from committing acts of illicit sexual conduct through that affiliation, even if the primary purpose of the travel was not to engage in abuse. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the definition of "sexual activity" does not require interpersonal physical contact, addressing a court decision that had narrowly interpreted this term.