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Public Law114th CongressCrime and Law Enforcement
H.R. 515Became Law

International Megan's Law to Prevent Child Exploitation and Other Sexual Crimes Through Advanced Notification of Traveling Sex Offenders

This bill became law

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What it doesSummary public law (Feb 8, 2016)

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on December 17, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

International Megan's Law to Prevent Child Exploitation and Other Sexual Crimes Through Advanced Notification of Traveling Sex Offenders

(Sec. 4) This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish the Angel Watch Center within the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The center must identify outbound sex offender travelers who failed to provide advanced notice of international travel and provide a list of such individuals to the Marshals Service (USMS) to investigate.

The center may receive notifications of inbound sex offender travel. It must share information with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and other government agencies.

The center may also transmit advance notice of sex offender travel to a destination country. It must comply with certain procedures, collect specified data, and establish a process to receive, review, and respond to individual complaints of erroneous notifications.

(Sec. 5) The USMS may receive and transmit notification of international travel by sex offenders. It may also share information about sex offender travel with other government agencies.

This bill requires the USMS to ensure consistent advance notification to destination countries of international travel by registered sex offenders.

The USMS must share certain information with the center, including a list of individuals who provided advanced notice of international travel, a determination of compliance with sex offender registration requirements, and sex offender travel information. It must also establish a process to receive, review, and respond to individual complaints of erroneous notifications.

DOJ must collect specified data related to transmitted notifications.

(Sec. 6) The bill amends the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) to require a registered sex offender to also report information on intended international travel for inclusion in the sex offender registry.

It amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime for a sex offender to knowingly fail to provide such information. A violation is subject to a fine, up to 10 years in prison, or both.

(Sec. 7) It expresses the sense of Congress that the Department of State should negotiate reciprocal international agreements to further the purposes of this Act and SORNA.

(Sec. 8) This bill amends the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 to prohibit the State Department from issuing a passport to a sex offender, unless the passport contains a unique identifier. A "unique identifier" is any visual sex offender designation that is conspicuously affixed to a passport.

(Sec. 9) DHS, DOJ, and the State Department must develop and report jointly to Congress on a process to implement the unique identifier requirement on sex offender passports.

(Sec. 10) The State Department may provide technical assistance to foreign authorities to facilitate effective participation in the notification program established by this Act.

(Sec. 11) The bill authorizes appropriations for FY2017-FY2018.

(Sec. 12) It prohibits construing this Act to limit international information sharing or law enforcement cooperation pursuant to any authority of DOJ, DHS, or any other department or agency.

What just happenedFeb 8, 2016

Became Public Law No: 114-119.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4](R-NJ)Sponsor
15 cosponsors4 D11 R
Read on Congress.gov
15cosponsors3committees36actions1amendments1related bills19subjects
  1. Feb 8, 2016President

    Became Public Law No: 114-119.

  2. Feb 8, 2016BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 114-119.

  3. Feb 8, 2016President

    Signed by President.

  4. Feb 8, 2016BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Feb 4, 2016Floor

    Presented to President.

  6. Feb 4, 2016President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Feb 1, 2016ResolvingDifferencesH41931

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  8. Feb 1, 2016ResolvingDifferencesH41610

    On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by voice vote. (text as House agreed to Senate amendments: CR H387-390)

  9. Feb 1, 2016NotUsed19500

    Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by voice vote.(text as House agreed to Senate amendments: CR H387-390)

  10. Feb 1, 2016FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 515.

  11. Feb 1, 2016ResolvingDifferencesH40140

    Mr. Smith (NJ) moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments. (consideration: CR H387-394)

  12. Dec 18, 2015Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  13. Dec 18, 2015Floor

    Notwithstanding the passage of H.R. 515, the committee reported title amendment was agreed to by Unanimous Consent.

  14. Dec 17, 2015Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.

  15. Dec 17, 2015Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.

  16. Dec 17, 2015Floor

    The committee substitute agreed to by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8831-8834; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S8832-8834)

  17. Nov 17, 2015Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 296.

  18. Nov 17, 2015Committee

    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. Without written report.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  19. Nov 17, 2015Committee14000

    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. Without written report.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  20. Nov 10, 2015Committee

    Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  21. Feb 4, 2015IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  22. Jan 28, 2015IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate.

  23. Jan 27, 2015FloorH8D000

    ENGROSSMENT CORRECTION - Unanimous consent was granted for the Clerk to make a correction in the engrossment to H.R. 515 in a form placed at the desk.

  24. Jan 26, 2015FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  25. Jan 26, 2015FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H542-544)

  26. Jan 26, 2015Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H542-544)

  27. Jan 26, 2015FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 515.

  28. Jan 26, 2015FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H542-546)

  29. Jan 26, 2015FloorH30300

    Mr. Royce moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

  30. Jan 25, 2015Committee

    Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Discharged.

    Judiciary Committee
  31. Jan 23, 2015Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

    Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee
  32. Jan 22, 2015IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Judiciary Committee
  33. Jan 22, 2015IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  34. Jan 22, 2015IntroReferralH11100-A

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  35. Jan 22, 2015IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  36. Jan 22, 2015IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Public LawFeb 8, 201649

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on December 17, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

International Megan's Law to Prevent Child Exploitation and Other Sexual Crimes Through Advanced Notification of Traveling Sex Offenders

(Sec. 4) This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish the Angel Watch Center within the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The center must identify outbound sex offender travelers who failed to provide advanced notice of international travel and provide a list of such individuals to the Marshals Service (USMS) to investigate.

The center may receive notifications of inbound sex offender travel. It must share information with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and other government agencies.

The center may also transmit advance notice of sex offender travel to a destination country. It must comply with certain procedures, collect specified data, and establish a process to receive, review, and respond to individual complaints of erroneous notifications.

(Sec. 5) The USMS may receive and transmit notification of international travel by sex offenders. It may also share information about sex offender travel with other government agencies.

This bill requires the USMS to ensure consistent advance notification to destination countries of international travel by registered sex offenders.

The USMS must share certain information with the center, including a list of individuals who provided advanced notice of international travel, a determination of compliance with sex offender registration requirements, and sex offender travel information. It must also establish a process to receive, review, and respond to individual complaints of erroneous notifications.

DOJ must collect specified data related to transmitted notifications.

(Sec. 6) The bill amends the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) to require a registered sex offender to also report information on intended international travel for inclusion in the sex offender registry.

It amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime for a sex offender to knowingly fail to provide such information. A violation is subject to a fine, up to 10 years in prison, or both.

(Sec. 7) It expresses the sense of Congress that the Department of State should negotiate reciprocal international agreements to further the purposes of this Act and SORNA.

(Sec. 8) This bill amends the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 to prohibit the State Department from issuing a passport to a sex offender, unless the passport contains a unique identifier. A "unique identifier" is any visual sex offender designation that is conspicuously affixed to a passport.

(Sec. 9) DHS, DOJ, and the State Department must develop and report jointly to Congress on a process to implement the unique identifier requirement on sex offender passports.

(Sec. 10) The State Department may provide technical assistance to foreign authorities to facilitate effective participation in the notification program established by this Act.

(Sec. 11) The bill authorizes appropriations for FY2017-FY2018.

(Sec. 12) It prohibits construing this Act to limit international information sharing or law enforcement cooperation pursuant to any authority of DOJ, DHS, or any other department or agency.

Passed Senate amendedDec 17, 201535

International Megan's Law to Prevent Child Exploitation and Other Sexual Crimes Through Advanced Notification of Traveling Sex Offenders

(Sec. 4) This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish the Angel Watch Center within the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The center must identify outbound sex offender travelers who failed to provide advanced notice of international travel and provide a list of such individuals to the Marshals Service (USMS) to investigate.

The center may receive notifications of inbound sex offender travel. It must share information with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and other government agencies.

The center may also transmit advance notice of sex offender travel to a destination country. It must comply with certain procedures, collect specified data, and establish a process to receive, review, and respond to individual complaints of erroneous notifications.

(Sec. 5) The USMS may receive and transmit notification of international travel by sex offenders. It may also share information about sex offender travel with other government agencies.

This bill requires the USMS to ensure consistent advance notification to destination countries of international travel by registered sex offenders.

The USMS must share certain information with the center, including a list of individuals who provided advanced notice of international travel, a determination of compliance with sex offender registration requirements, and sex offender travel information. It must also establish a process to receive, review, and respond to individual complaints of erroneous notifications.

DOJ must collect specified data related to transmitted notifications.

(Sec. 6) The bill amends the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) to require a registered sex offender to also report information on intended international travel for inclusion in the sex offender registry.

It amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime for a sex offender to knowingly fail to provide such information. A violation is subject to a fine, up to 10 years in prison, or both.

(Sec. 7) It expresses the sense of Congress that the Department of State should negotiate reciprocal international agreements to further the purposes of this Act and SORNA.

(Sec. 8) This bill amends the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 to prohibit the State Department from issuing a passport to a sex offender, unless the passport contains a unique identifier. A "unique identifier" is any visual sex offender designation that is conspicuously affixed to a passport.

(Sec. 9) DHS, DOJ, and the State Department must develop and report jointly to Congress on a process to implement the unique identifier requirement on sex offender passports.

(Sec. 10) The State Department may provide technical assistance to foreign authorities to facilitate effective participation in the notification program established by this Act.

(Sec. 11) The bill authorizes appropriations for FY2017-FY2018.

(Sec. 12) It prohibits construing this Act to limit international information sharing or law enforcement cooperation pursuant to any authority of DOJ, DHS, or any other department or agency.

Reported to Senate with amendment(s)Nov 17, 20151

International Megan's Law to Prevent Child Exploitation and Other Sexual Crimes Through Advanced Notification of Traveling Sex Offenders

(Sec. 4) This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish the Angel Watch Center within the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The center must identify outbound sex offender travelers who failed to provide advanced notice of international travel and provide a list of such individuals to the Marshals Service (USMS) to investigate.

The center may receive notifications of inbound sex offender travel. It must share information with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and other government agencies.

The center may also transmit advance notice of sex offender travel to a destination country. It must comply with certain procedures, collect specified data, and establish a process to receive, review, and respond to individual complaints of erroneous notifications.

(Sec. 5) The USMS may receive and transmit notification of international travel by sex offenders. It may also share information about sex offender travel with other government agencies.

This bill requires the USMS to ensure consistent advance notification to destination countries of international travel by registered sex offenders.

The USMS must share certain information with the center, including a list of individuals who provided advanced notice of international travel, a determination of compliance with sex offender registration requirements, and sex offender travel information. It must also establish a process to receive, review, and respond to individual complaints of erroneous notifications.

DOJ must collect specified data related to transmitted notifications.

(Sec. 6) The bill amends the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) to require a registered sex offender to also report information on intended international travel for inclusion in the sex offender registry.

It amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime for a sex offender to knowingly fail to provide such information. A violation is subject to a fine, up to 10 years in prison, or both.

(Sec. 7) It expresses the sense of Congress that the Department of State should negotiate reciprocal international agreements to further the purposes of this Act and SORNA.

(Sec. 8) This bill amends the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 to prohibit the State Department from issuing a passport to a sex offender, unless the passport contains a unique identifier. A "unique identifier" is any visual sex offender designation that is conspicuously affixed to a passport.

(Sec. 9) DHS, DOJ, and the State Department must develop and report jointly to Congress on a process to implement the unique identifier requirement on sex offender passports.

(Sec. 10) The State Department may provide technical assistance to foreign authorities to facilitate effective participation in the notification program established by this Act.

(Sec. 11) The bill authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.

(Sec. 12) It prohibits construing this Act to limit international information sharing or law enforcement cooperation pursuant to any authority of DOJ, DHS, or any other department or agency.

Passed House without amendmentJan 26, 201581

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

International Megan's Law to Prevent Demand for Child Sex Trafficking

(Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish within the Child Exploitation Investigations Unit of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement the Angel Watch Center, which shall:

  • receive information on travel by child-sex offenders;
  • establish a system to maintain and archive all relevant information, including decisions not to transmit notification abroad and responses of destination countries to notifications;
  • establish an annual review process to ensure that the Center is consistent in procedures regarding providing notification to destination countries; and
  • establish a mechanism to receive complaints from child-sex offenders affected by notifications of destination countries.

Authorizes the Center to notify a destination country (including its visa-issuing agents in the United States) of impending or current international travel of a child-sex offender to that country. Prescribes requirements for reasonable efforts to provide constructive notice through electronic or telephonic communication to the child-sex offender before his or her arrival in the destination country, except in specified circumstances

Requires the Center to engage in ongoing consultations with:

  • nongovernmental organizations that have experience in identifying and preventing child sex tourism and rescuing and rehabilitating minor victims of international sexual exploitation and trafficking,
  • the governments of countries interested in cooperating in the creation of an international sex offender travel notification system or that are primary destination or source countries for international sex tourism, and
  • Internet service and software providers regarding technology to facilitate the implementation of an international sex offender travel notification system in the United States and in other countries.

(Sec. 5) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should: (1) negotiate bilateral agreements with foreign governments to further the purposes of this Act; and (2) formally request foreign governments to notify the United States when a U.S. citizen has been arrested, convicted, or sentenced or has completed a prison sentence for a child-sex offense in the foreign country.

(Sec. 6) Amends the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 to include, as indicia of serious and sustained efforts to eliminate severe forms of trafficking in persons, a country's cooperation with other governments in the investigation and prosecution of such trafficking, including trafficking related to sex tourism.

(Sec. 7) Encourages the President to use authorities under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to assist foreign countries in identifying sex offenders and providing and receiving notification of child sex offender international travel.

Introduced in HouseJan 22, 2015

International Megan's Law to Prevent Demand for Child Sex Trafficking

Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish within the Child Exploitation Investigations Unit of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement the Angel Watch Center, which shall:

  • receive information on travel by child-sex offenders;
  • establish a system to maintain and archive all relevant information, including decisions not to transmit notification abroad and responses of destination countries to notifications;
  • establish an annual review process to ensure that the Center is consistent in procedures regarding providing notification to destination countries; and
  • establish a mechanism to receive complaints from child-sex offenders affected by notifications of destination countries.

Authorizes the Center to notify a destination country (including its visa-issuing agents in the United States) of impending or current international travel of a child-sex offender to that country. Prescribes requirements for reasonable efforts to provide constructive notice through electronic or telephonic communication to the child-sex offender before his or her arrival in the destination country, except in specified circumstances

Requires the Center to engage in ongoing consultations with:

  • nongovernmental organizations that have experience in identifying and preventing child sex tourism and rescuing and rehabilitating minor victims of international sexual exploitation and trafficking,
  • the governments of countries interested in cooperating in the creation of an international sex offender travel notification system or that are primary destination or source countries for international sex tourism, and
  • Internet service and software providers regarding technology to facilitate the implementation of an international sex offender travel notification system in the United States and in other countries.

Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should: (1) negotiate bilateral agreements with foreign governments to further the purposes of this Act; and (2) formally request foreign governments to notify the United States when a U.S. citizen has been arrested, convicted, or sentenced or has completed a prison sentence for a child-sex offense in the foreign country.

Amends the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 to include, as indicia of serious and sustained efforts to eliminate severe forms of trafficking in persons, a country's cooperation with other governments in the investigation and prosecution of such trafficking, including trafficking related to sex tourism.

Encourages the President to use authorities under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to assist foreign countries in identifying sex offenders and providing and receiving notification of child sex offender international travel.