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S. 134Senate116th Congress (2019-2021)Enacted

Combat Online Predators Act

Sponsored by Patrick J. ToomeySen. Patrick J. Toomey (R-PA)
Introduced January 15, 2019

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 12:46 AM UTC

The Combat Online Predators Act changes federal stalking law to increase prison time for adults who stalk minors. It adds a new penalty that can add up to five extra years of imprisonment when the victim is under 18, with some age‑relationship exceptions. The bill also directs the Attorney General to report to Congress on how stalking laws are enforced and what works best.

Key Provisions

  • Adds a new section (2261B) that raises the maximum sentence for a stalking offense (under 2261A) by up to five years when the victim is under 18.
  • Provides an exception so the extra penalty does not apply if the offender is also a minor or if the victim is close in age (15‑17 years old and no more than three years younger than the offender).
  • Updates the legal tables and cross‑references to include the new section.
  • Requires the Attorney General, within one year of the law’s enactment, to submit a report to Congress evaluating federal, tribal, state, and local enforcement of stalking laws and identifying best practices.

Legislative Activity

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16 earlier actions
Became Law Latest Action

Became Public Law No: 116-249.

December 22, 2020

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

January 15, 2019

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

January 15, 2019

SenateCommittee

Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.

Judiciary Committee

October 28, 2019

SenateFloor

Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S6204)

October 28, 2019

SenateFloor

Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

October 28, 2019

SenateFloor

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

October 29, 2019

HouseFloor

Received in the House.

October 29, 2019 • 2:22 PM

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

October 29, 2019

HouseFloor

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

December 8, 2020 • 4:45 PM

HouseFloor

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7011-7014)

December 8, 2020 • 4:46 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 134.

December 8, 2020 • 4:46 PM

SenateFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

December 8, 2020 • 5:04 PM

HouseFloor

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7011-7012)

December 8, 2020 • 5:04 PM

HouseFloor

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

December 8, 2020 • 5:04 PM

President

Presented to President.

December 11, 2020

Became Law

Signed by President.

December 22, 2020

Became Law

Became Public Law No: 116-249.

December 22, 2020

Amendments

1 amendment

Offered to this bill

Bill Text

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Enrolled BillPublication date not provided

One Hundred Sixteenth Congress of the United States of America

2d Session

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Friday, the third day of January, two thousand and twenty

S. 134

AN ACT

To amend title 18, United States Code, with regard to stalking.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Combat Online Predators Act.

2.

Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children

(a)

In general

Chapter 110A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 2261A the following:

2261B.

Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children

(a)

In general

Except as provided in subsection (b), if the victim of an offense under section 2261A is under the age of 18 years, the maximum imprisonment for the offense is 5 years greater than the maximum term of imprisonment otherwise provided for that offense in section 2261.

(b)

Limitation

Subsection (a) shall not apply to a person who violates section 2261A if—

(1)

the person is subject to a sentence under section 2261(b)(5); and

(2)
(A)

the person is under the age of 18 at the time the offense occurred; or

(B)

the victim of the offense is not less than 15 nor more than 17 years of age and not more than 3 years younger than the person who committed the offense at the time the offense occurred.

.

(b)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 110A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2261A the following new item:

2261B. Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children.

.

(c)

Conforming amendment

Section 2261A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking section 2261(b) of this title and inserting section 2261(b) or section 2261B, as the case may be.

3.

Report on best practices regarding enforcement of anti-stalking laws

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall submit a report to Congress, which shall—

(1)

include an evaluation of Federal, Tribal, State, and local efforts to enforce laws relating to stalking; and

(2)

identify and describe those elements of such efforts that constitute the best practices for the enforcement of such laws.

Speaker of the House of Representatives

Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate