Bill > HR1274

This bill reauthorizes the PROTECT Our Children Act of 2008, focusing on enhancing strategies and resources to prevent and combat child exploitation. The legislation modifies several key aspects of the existing law, including changing the national strategy report from biennial to quadrennial and expanding its required content. The bill requires a comprehensive analysis of child exploitation trends, challenges, and future threats, and mandates detailed reporting on task force activities, investigations, and prosecutions. It broadens the scope of Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task forces to include Tribal and military law enforcement, emphasizes identifying child victims, and prioritizes investigations likely to result in positive outcomes. The bill also provides limited liability protection for ICAC task forces and their personnel, except in cases of intentional misconduct or reckless behavior. Additionally, the legislation increases funding, authorizing $70 million for fiscal year 2026, rising to $90 million by fiscal year 2028, and includes provisions for training, technical assistance, and research to support child exploitation prevention efforts. The bill aims to improve coordination among federal, state, local, and tribal agencies, engage with the judicial system, and develop more effective strategies for combating child exploitation in the digital age.

Justice

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1274/all-info