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Read. Follow. Verify.Proposed Updates to the Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act
Last action · May 10, 2024: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.Sponsor: Christopher Smith
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What This Bill Would Do
This bill proposes updates to the 2014 law governing international parental child abduction, including expanding the definition of abduction cases and requiring consular officers to maintain contact with abducted children who reach age 16. It also mandates a new study on the impacts of international child abduction, with $1 million authorized for each of fiscal years 2025 and 2026.
The bill changes how the U.S. government tracks and supports children abducted internationally by extending consular outreach until age 18 and authorizing $2 million in federal spending for research on the issue.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Left-behind parents
The bill expands the definition of abduction cases to include those seeking rights of access or return, potentially broadening the scope of government assistance.
U.S. Consular Officers
Officers are tasked with new annual outreach requirements for abducted children who reach age 16.
Department of State
The agency is required to commission a study and manage the associated funding.
Key Facts
- Expands the definition of 'abduction case' to include applications filed by parents seeking rights of access or return.
- Updates the definition of 'appropriate congressional committees' to include the House and Senate Committees on Homeland Security.
- Increases the age threshold for certain abduction case definitions from 16 to 18.
- Requires consular officers to annually contact abducted children who reach age 16 until they turn 18 or request the contact to cease.
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- Consular officers must advise children aged 16-18 of their rights regarding passport applications and specific benefits under Title 38 of the U.S. Code.
- Mandates the Secretary of State to commission a study on the harm caused by international parental child abduction within one year of enactment.
- Authorizes $1,000,000 in funding for the study for each of fiscal years 2025 and 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
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Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
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Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Extension of Consular Outreach
The bill shifts the focus of consular involvement from strictly return-based efforts to include ongoing rights-based outreach for children aged 16-18.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.congress.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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