Hartzler supports Preventing Child Exploitation Act

(From Fourth District Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler)

Today Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-04) supported a bill to prevent child exploitation, H.R. 6847, the Preventing Child Exploitation Act of 2018. The House passed the bill on Monday evening.

“It is unfortunate that a bill like this is needed to protect innocent children, but clearly it is necessary,” Hartzler said.

“Tonight the House took an important step to close loopholes in the law that allow predators to get away with child exploitation, especially those who engage in foreign sex tourism. There is no room for error when it comes to prosecuting those who go after defenseless children.”



Currently, a sexual predator can video or photograph the assault of a child and avoid being charged with production of child pornography through a loophole that requires the predator to have specific intent to produce child pornography prior to abusing the child. This bill would remove this onerous loophole. 

Additionally, this legislation would expand the definition of sexual contact to further protect victims of foreign sex tourism who are minors, and it would renew funding for the National Sex Offender Registry.