Death Penalty for Child Rapists Act
This bill amends federal criminal law to authorize the death penalty for specific sexual abuse offenses against children. It modifies three key provisions (18 U.S.C. §§2241, 2243, and 2244) that currently define aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse of a minor, and abusive sexual contact involving children, replacing existing prison terms with the option of "death or imprisonment for any term of years or for life." The change applies to both civilian cases under federal law and military cases under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (10 U.S.C. §920b). The bill directly affects individuals convicted of these specific child sexual abuse crimes, making the death penalty a possible sentencing option.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Feb 25, 2026
Last action Feb 25, 2026
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Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Feb 25, 2026
Committee
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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.
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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