A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of "Countering International Parental Child Abduction Month" and expressing the sense of the Senate that Congress should raise awareness of the harm caused by international parental child abduction.
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 150
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-01: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S2097)
- Last Updated
- 2025-05-14T15:39:10Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This Senate Resolution (S. Res. 150) aims to support the goals and ideals of "Countering International Parental Child Abduction Month" by recognizing the month and expressing the Senate's view that Congress should increase public awareness of the serious harm caused by international parental child abduction. International parental child abduction occurs when one parent takes a child out of the country without the other parent's consent, often to avoid custody arrangements.
Key Provisions
- Recognition of the Month: The Senate officially recognizes April 1–30, 2025, as "Countering International Parental Child Abduction Month" to highlight and oppose such abductions.
- Call for Awareness and Leadership: The resolution urges the United States to lead global efforts in educating the public about the emotional, psychological, and physical harm to children and parents affected by these abductions.
- Background Context: The preamble provides extensive details, including:
- Statistics on abductions (e.g., 9,816 children reported abducted from the U.S. between 2010 and 2020; cases in 105 countries in 2023).
- Legal references, such as U.S. criminal laws against parental kidnapping (18 U.S.C. § 1204) and international agreements like the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (a treaty focused on quickly returning abducted children and respecting custody rights).
- Recognition of U.S. efforts, including programs like the Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program (which verifies parental consent for passports to prevent abductions) and the Prevent Abduction Program (coordinated with border officials to stop departures).
- Highlights of past Senate resolutions and laws, such as the International Parental Kidnapping Crime Act of 1993 and the Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act of 2014 (which identifies non-compliant countries and promotes bilateral agreements).
- Emphasis on the role of nonprofits like the Coalition to End International Parental Child Abduction and government offices like the State Department's Office of Children's Issues.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no changes to existing laws. It reaffirms support for current statutes and treaties but does not amend or enact new legal requirements.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Encourages the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security to continue and expand prevention programs (e.g., passport alerts and border intercepts), potentially leading to more resources for tracking and resolving cases. In 2023, these efforts helped return 205 children and resolve 119 cases.
- On Citizens: Raises public awareness to help prevent abductions, particularly for families with international ties, and supports left-behind parents by highlighting emotional harms (e.g., anxiety, fear, and family separation). It notes challenges like dual citizenship complicating tracking.
- On International Relations: Prompts the U.S. to negotiate more bilateral agreements with non-Hague Convention countries (e.g., for pre-existing cases) and pressures non-compliant nations (e.g., 19 countries identified between 2015–2023, including China and Japan) to improve cooperation, potentially strengthening diplomatic ties on child welfare issues.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Families and Children: Primary victims, including abducted children (at risk of long-term mental health issues) and non-abducting parents separated from their children.
- Government Agencies: U.S. Department of State (Office of Children's Issues), Department of Homeland Security (Customs and Border Protection), and Department of Justice, which handle prevention, enforcement, and advocacy.
- Nonprofit Organizations: Groups like Bring Abducted Children Home, iStand Parent Network, and the Coalition to End International Parental Child Abduction, recognized for their advocacy and support services.
- International Partners: Countries involved in abduction cases, especially those listed as non-compliant under U.S. law, facing potential diplomatic consequences.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces existing U.S. criminal penalties for parental kidnapping and treaty obligations under the Hague Convention, but as a resolution, it has no enforceable effect—it's symbolic and advisory.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's role in foreign affairs (under Article I) by expressing views on international child welfare without infringing on executive treaty powers.
- Political: Signals bipartisan congressional commitment (introduced by Sens. Tillis and Murphy) to child protection, building on prior resolutions (e.g., from 2012–2023). It may influence executive branch priorities, such as enforcing the 2014 Goldman Act, and foster public support for policy enhancements without partisan debate.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT], Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-01: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S2097)
- 2025-04-01: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Supporting the goals and ideals of Countering International Parental Child Abduction Month and expressing the sense of the Senate that Congress should raise awareness of the harm caused by international parental child abduction. — issued 2025-04-01 — PDF (7 pages)