Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Holding Violent Criminals and Child Predators Accountable Act of 2022”.
Holding Violent Criminals and Child Predators Accountable Act of 2022
A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to hold violent criminals and child predators accountable.
Sec. 2 Enhanced penalties
Sexual abuse of a minor or ward— Section 2243 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking “not more than 15 years” each place the term appears and inserting “for any number of years up to life”.
Abusive sexual contact— Section 2244(c) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking “twice that otherwise provided in this section” and replace with “up to life”.
Sexual exploitation of children— Section 2251 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:
“(e)
“(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), any person who violates, or attempts or conspires to violate, this section shall be fined under this title and imprisoned not less than 15 years or for life.
“(2) In the case of a person described in paragraph (1) who—
“(A) has 1 prior conviction under this chapter, section 1591, chapter 71, chapter 109A, or chapter 117, or under section 920 of title 10 (article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), or under the laws of any State relating to aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse, abusive sexual contact involving a minor or ward, or sex trafficking of children, or the production, possession, receipt, mailing, sale, distribution, shipment, or transportation of child pornography, the person shall be fined under this title and imprisoned for not less than 25 years or for life; and
“(B) has 2 or more prior convictions under this chapter, chapter 71, chapter 109A, or chapter 117, or under section 920 of title 10 (article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), or under the laws of any State relating to the sexual exploitation of children, the person shall be fined under this title and imprisoned not less than 35 years or for life.
“(3) Any organization that violates, or attempts or conspires to violate, this section shall be fined under this title.
“(4) Whoever, in the course of an offense under this section, engages in conduct that results in the death of a person, shall be punished by death or imprisoned for not less than 30 years or for life.”
Certain activities relating to material involving the sexual exploitation of minors— Section 2252(b) of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
in paragraph (1)—
by striking “not more than 20 years” and inserting “not more than 40 years”; and
by striking “nor more than 40 years” and inserting “or for life”; and
in paragraph (2), by striking “for not more than 20 years, or if” and inserting “for any number of years up to life, or if”.
Certain activities relating to material constituting or containing child pornography— Section 2252A(b)(2) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking “for not more than 20 years, or if” and inserting “for any number of years up to life, or if”.
Interstate domestic violence— Section 2261(b) of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
in paragraph (1), by striking “for life or any term of years” and inserting “for not less than 15 years or for life”;
in paragraph (2), by striking “20 years” and inserting “25 years”; and
in paragraph (3), by striking “10 years” and inserting “15 years”.