[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 6]
[House]
[Pages 8549-8554]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         PROTECTING YOUNG VICTIMS FROM SEXUAL ABUSE ACT OF 2017

  The Committee resumed its sitting.
  The CHAIR. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Messer).
  Mr. MESSER. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1973, 
which aims to strengthen protections against child victims of sexual 
abuse.
  I am a parent. In fact, today, with me, I have my son, Hudson, and 
one of my daughters, Ava.
  Sadly, over the course of the past couple of years, countless stories 
of young athletes being abused, including in Indiana, have revealed 
glaring inadequacies in our law. These stories, many about coaches and 
doctors and trainers and other adults who have abused their positions 
of authority and trust to exploit young athletes, are appalling and, as 
a parent, gut wrenching. Every one of these kids deserved better.
  This bill aims to ensure that acts of suspected child abuse are 
promptly reported to an organization's national governing body to make 
sure that these cases are immediately disclosed to local or Federal law 
enforcement authorities. Short of this requirement being codified into 
law, predatory individuals can continue perpetrating horrific crimes 
against young athletes with relative impunity.
  In addition, this bill requires national governing bodies to develop 
specific policies and procedures for reporting sexual abuse cases to 
law enforcement and to keep track of individuals who leave one facility 
due to complaints and then go to another facility to repeat that abuse 
elsewhere.
  I want to thank my colleague from Indiana (Mrs. Brooks) for her 
important work on this legislation--she is my kids' second favorite 
Member of Congress--and for her hard work on this important bill to 
protect kids all across America from abuse.
  I encourage my colleagues to support the bill.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee), the ranking member on the 
prime subcommittee on the House Judiciary Committee.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, I thank the distinguished ranking member 
for yielding.
  I thank the chairman of this committee and the manager of this bill, 
and, particularly, I want to express my appreciation to the bipartisan 
co-sponsors of this legislation--the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. 
Brooks), the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Frankel)--for coming 
together around a concept of continuing to work to protect our 
children; and where we can find bipartisanship, that is really very 
special as relates to the message to the American people.
  The Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse Act requires that 
personnel and employees of national governing bodies recognized by the 
U.S. Olympic Committee report suspected incidents of child abuse, 
including sexual abuse, to law enforcement. The importance of this is 
to cease, end, stop, never have it again for those victims--never 
report or hold it for years and years--who are impacted psychologically 
and impacted for the rest of their life. Really, that is what has been 
happening in years past.
  This bill is intended to protect young athletes who, with great 
expectation and excitement and challenge and wonderment and aspirations 
for the Olympics, in their early years, desire to serve their Nation; 
because when they put their bodies through this rigorous engagement in 
sport day after day, week after week, month after month, hour after 
hour, minute after minute, second after second, and deny themselves 
other extracurricular activities, they do it for the passion of the 
sport, for their recognition of excellence, but also to go to the 
Olympics and make their Nation proud.

                              {time}  0945

  And so what we have put them through with respect to not protecting 
them against sexual assaults severely undermines, again, and 
irreparably harms them. With H.R. 1973, we have an opportunity to 
ensure that that never happens again.
  The need for this legislation is best illustrated by the ongoing 
scandal of widespread abuse and exploitation of young gymnasts over the 
course of 20 years within USA Gymnastics--a prominent governing body of 
the U.S. Olympic Committee--in particular, by

[[Page 8550]]

a physician starting back in 1997 who engaged in such activities.
  Allegations against him were not reported to law enforcement until 
recently; and following the first public complaint against him in 2015, 
more than 100 women filed complaints accusing him of sexual abuse, and 
he now faces more than 20 criminal charges in Federal and State courts.
  Again, this legislation is to turn the light on those who have 
quietly abused these young men and women and, as well, done it with 
impunity because no vehicle was provided for these young people to be 
able to ensure that they would not be assaulted again.
  The integrity that we bring to this process with this legislation, 
the comfort that we give to families and parents when they entrust 
their children to those who are coaches, doctors, leaders of teams, 
sponsors of teams is vitally important. And the protections of this 
bill, of reporting and ensuring that the light continues to stay on and 
the darkness never comes for that young athlete who seeks that golden 
platform or that first place or second place or third place, or even to 
participate, that they can do it with the affirmation that the Nation 
believes in their protection and their security and that they should 
never, never, never face this alone.
  I rise to support the legislation, H.R. 1973, and I ask my colleagues 
to support this legislation.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Paulsen).
  Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  I would like to first express my thanks and appreciation as well to 
the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Brooks), who is bringing this 
legislation forward, H.R. 1973, of which I am a proud cosponsor. The 
bill is the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse Act.
  Every year, Mr. Chair, thousands of amateur athletes begin their 
journey with the goal of one day being able to represent the United 
States at the Olympics. This journey is often filled with years of 
dedication, of sacrifice, of multiple setbacks, all in the hopes of 
rising to the top of their craft.
  Unfortunately, for some, this journey has also been scarred by sexual 
abuse, and often this abuse comes from those who are closest to our 
young athletes. These are the individuals that have been entrusted by 
families all around the country to look after them, to take care of 
them, to look after these loved ones during their training.
  The bill today in the House that we are taking up is a step in the 
right direction to help ensure that athletes are better protected. It 
requires mandatory and immediate reporting of incidents of child sexual 
abuse to both local and Federal law enforcement. No organization should 
be able to stand idly by when a child is placed in harm's way and 
becomes a victim.
  The bill also directs our amateur athletic governing bodies to 
develop and implement rigorous training and oversight practices to 
prevent abuse of athletes in the future. Mr. Chair, our amateur 
athletes and their families should never ever have to worry about their 
children being abused by those who are closest to them, often in a very 
trusted relationship.
  We need to pass this critical legislation to give families the peace 
of mind and prevent abuse. I urge all of my colleagues to support this 
bipartisan bill.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chair, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Chair, let me close by saying that protecting young victims from 
sexual abuse is a necessary measure that will help ensure that young 
athletes in this country are able to pursue their athletic dreams in a 
safe environment and free of exploitation and abuse.
  This bill imposes an affirmative duty on coaches, trainers, 
instructors, doctors, and the like to protect the young athletes who 
have been entrusted to their tutelage. This bill establishes remedies 
for those who might be harmed, and this bill mandates training and 
oversight to encourage compliance, vigilance, and protection.
  I thank Chairman Goodlatte for facilitating the prompt consideration 
of this bill, and the Judiciary Committee. I also want to recognize the 
leadership of Senator Feinstein, the ranking member of the Senate 
Judiciary Committee, who authored the Senate version of this bill and 
who has been the leading voice in Congress in demanding we address 
these issues.
  Finally, I note that this important bipartisan legislation is 
supported by many advocacy groups including the National Center for 
Missing & Exploited Children; the National Children's Alliance; the 
National Center for Victims of Crime; Rape, Abuse & Incest National 
Network; and the United States Olympic Committee, as well as several of 
its national governing bodies.
  For the foregoing reasons, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in 
supporting H.R. 1973, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana. Mr. Chairman, I thank Mr. Conyers, Ms. 
Jackson Lee, and all of those who have spoken in support of this bill 
this morning, the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse Act.
  It is exactly as it has been described. It is an important moment for 
us, in a bipartisan consensus that we have reached, to protect our 
young athletes. It has been articulated well, the purpose behind the 
bill, and it is a proud moment for all of us as we stand for these 
young athletes to defend them as they perform and use their God-given 
talents that make our Nation so proud.
  So, without belaboring the point, Mr. Chairman, I just want to 
commend, again, Mrs. Brooks for introducing this important legislation, 
and I also urge all of my colleagues to support it.
  Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of 
H.R. 1973--Protecting Young Victims From Sexual Abuse Act.
  Since my time as a US Attorney and federal prosecutor, I have been 
committed to battling child exploitation and abuse.
  Last year, I was shocked--along with much of the country--when the 
Indianapolis Star published an investigative piece that exposed 
troubling allegations of sexual abuse at USA Gymnastics programs across 
the country.
  According to their report, over the last 20 years, at least 368 young 
people--some Olympic hopefuls--were the victims of sexual abuse at the 
hands of adults they trusted--coaches, trainers, doctors and other 
adults associated with USA Gymnastics. They reported the abuse to USA 
Gymnastics--and unfortunately, USA Gymnastics failed, in many cases, to 
report their abuse to law enforcement authorities.
  The article shed light on their stories and inspired the legislation 
that is before us today. According to the more than 5,600 pages of USA 
Gymnastics records released by the Indy Star, some of the 54 coaches 
who had been accused of sexual abuse by young athletes in their care 
weren't banned from gymnastics until years after their history of abuse 
had been reported to and kept in complaint files by USA Gymnastics.
  One USA Gymnastics doctor, Dr. Nassar--abused young women and girls 
for more than 20 years, and more than 100 women have come forward today 
to share their stories of abuse at his hands.
  I understand how challenging it is to share painful stories of sexual 
abuse, and I am proud of the brave gymnasts who have shared their 
stories. Stories that should never have happened, and stories that went 
inexcusably unanswered.
  Their stories demand our attention and action.
  Not only to provide victims with the justice denied to them for so 
long, but also to protect future generations of Olympic hopefuls.
  I want to acknowledge the work of Senator Dianne Feinstein of 
California who is leading this bill in the Senate, and my colleagues in 
the Bipartisan Women's Caucus who joined me to offer the Protecting 
Young Victims from Sexual Abuse Act. Our legislation is an important 
step towards protecting our young athletes.
  Our legislation addresses this dangerous silence that, as the Indy 
Star investigative piece showed, plagued the USA Gymnastics. A silence 
that led to more girls being abused, hurt, and harmful coaches who 
faced little to no repercussions for their heinous actions.
  The abuse should have been first and foremost, prevented. The system 
utterly failed when the abuse was not detected, and not promptly 
reported. The Olympic community failed and must do better.

[[Page 8551]]

  Our bill makes sure that national governing bodies entrusted with the 
health and well-being of young athletes and future Olympians promptly 
report any allegations of sexual abuse to law enforcement authorities 
and implement stronger policies and procedures to prevent this from 
happening again.
  I applaud Senator Feinstein and my colleagues in the House who joined 
the effort to move this important legislation forward, and applaud the 
victims who shared their story to protect others.
  The CHAIR. All time for general debate has expired. Pursuant to the 
rule, the bill shall be considered for amendment under the 5-minute 
rule.
  In lieu of the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by 
the Committee on the Judiciary, printed in the bill, it shall be in 
order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment 
under the 5-minute rule an amendment in the nature of a substitute 
consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 115-20. That amendment 
in the nature of a substitute shall be considered as read.
  The text of the amendment in the nature of a substitute is as 
follows:

                               H.R. 1973

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Protecting Young Victims 
     from Sexual Abuse Act of 2017''.

     SEC. 2. REQUIRED REPORTING OF CHILD AND SEXUAL ABUSE AT 
                   FACILITIES UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF AMATEUR 
                   SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS RECOGNIZED BY THE UNITED 
                   STATES OLYMPIC COMMITTEE.

       (a) Reporting Requirement.--Section 226 of the Victims of 
     Child Abuse Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 13031) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by striking ``A person who'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(1) Covered professionals.--A person who''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) Covered individuals.--A covered individual who learns 
     of facts that give reason to suspect that a child has 
     suffered an incident of child abuse shall as soon as possible 
     make a report of the suspected abuse to the agency designated 
     by the Attorney General under subsection (d).'';
       (2) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding paragraph 
     (1), by striking ``subsection (a)'' and inserting 
     ``subsection (a)(1)'';
       (3) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (7), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting a semicolon; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(9) the term `covered facility' means a facility over 
     which a national governing body has jurisdiction;
       ``(10) the term `covered individual' means an adult who is 
     authorized by a covered facility or by a national governing 
     body to interact with a minor or amateur athlete at the 
     covered facility or at any event sanctioned by the covered 
     facility; and
       ``(11) the term `national governing body' has the meaning 
     given the term in section 220501(b) of title 36, United 
     States Code.'';
       (4) in subsection (d), in the first sentence, by inserting 
     ``and for all covered facilities'' after ``reside'';
       (5) in subsection (f), in the first sentence--
       (A) by striking ``and on all'' and inserting ``on all''; 
     and
       (B) by inserting ``and for all covered facilities,'' after 
     ``lands,'';
       (6) in subsection (h), by inserting ``and all covered 
     individuals,'' after ``facilities,''; and
       (7) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(i) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall 
     be construed to require a victim of child abuse to self-
     report the abuse.''.
       (b) Penalty for Failure to Report.--Section 2258 of title 
     18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after 
     ``facility,'' the following: ``or a covered individual (as 
     described in subsection (a)(2) of such section 226) who''.

     SEC. 3. CIVIL REMEDY FOR PERSONAL INJURIES.

       Section 2255 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
       ``(a) In General.--Any person who, while a minor, was a 
     victim of a violation of section 1589, 1590, 1591, 2241(c), 
     2242, 2243, 2251, 2251A, 2252, 2252A, 2260, 2421, 2422, or 
     2423 of this title and who suffers personal injury as a 
     result of such violation, regardless of whether the injury 
     occurred while such person was a minor, may sue in any 
     appropriate United States District Court and shall recover 
     the actual damages such person sustains or liquidated damages 
     in the amount of $150,000, and the cost of the action, 
     including reasonable attorney's fees and other litigation 
     costs reasonably incurred. The court may also award punitive 
     damages and such other preliminary and equitable relief as 
     the court determines to be appropriate.'';
       (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``filed within'' and all 
     that follows through the end and inserting the following: 
     ``file--
       ``(1) not later than 10 years after the date on which the 
     plaintiff reasonably discovers the later of--
       ``(A) the violation that forms the basis for the claim; or
       ``(B) the injury that forms the basis for the claim; or
       ``(2) not later than 10 years after the date on which a 
     legal disability ends.''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(c) Venue; Service of Process.--
       ``(1) Venue.--Any action brought under subsection (a) may 
     be brought in the district court of the United States that 
     meets applicable requirements relating to venue under section 
     1391 of title 28.
       ``(2) Service of process.--In an action brought under 
     subsection (a), process may be served in any district in 
     which the defendant--
       ``(A) is an inhabitant; or
       ``(B) may be found.''.

     SEC. 4. EXPANSION OF AUTHORITIES AND DUTIES OF AMATEUR SPORTS 
                   ORGANIZATIONS RECOGNIZED BY THE UNITED STATES 
                   OLYMPIC COMMITTEE TO PREVENT THE ABUSE OF MINOR 
                   AND AMATEUR ATHLETES.

       (a) Expansion of Authorities.--Section 220523(a) of title 
     36, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (6), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
     semicolon;
       (2) in paragraph (7), by striking the period and inserting 
     ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(8) develop training, oversight practices, policies, and 
     procedures to prevent the abuse, including physical abuse and 
     sexual abuse, of any minor or amateur athlete by any 
     adult.''.
       (b) Additional Duties.--Section 220524 of such title is 
     amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(a) In General.--'' before ``For the 
     sport'';
       (2) in paragraph (8), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
     semicolon;
       (3) in paragraph (9), by striking the period and inserting 
     a semicolon; and
       (4) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(10) develop and enforce policies, mechanisms, and 
     procedures to prevent the abuse, including physical abuse and 
     sexual abuse, of any minor or amateur athlete, including--
       ``(A) requiring all adults authorized by a national 
     governing body or a member of a national governing body to 
     interact with a minor or amateur athlete at an amateur sports 
     organization facility or at any event sanctioned by a 
     national governing body or a member of a national governing 
     body, to report facts that give reason to suspect child 
     abuse, including sexual abuse, as required by relevant 
     Federal or State law, to law enforcement authorities and 
     other appropriate authorities, including an entity designated 
     by the corporation to investigate and resolve such 
     allegations;
       ``(B) establishing a mechanism, approved by a trained 
     expert on child abuse, that allows an individual to easily 
     report an incident of child abuse as described in 
     subparagraph (A) to the national governing body or another 
     authority, including an entity designated by the corporation;
       ``(C) procedures to ensure that covered individuals are 
     instructed to avoid one-on-one situations with any amateur 
     athlete who is a minor (other than such an athlete for whom 
     the covered individual is a legal guardian) at an amateur 
     sports organization facility, at any event sanctioned by a 
     national governing body, or any event sanctioned by a member 
     of a national governing body, without being observable or 
     interruptible by another adult; and
       ``(D) oversight procedures, including regular and random 
     audits, not to exceed once a year, conducted by subject 
     matter experts unaffiliated with the national governing body, 
     of all members and adults described in subparagraph (A) to 
     ensure that policies and procedures developed under this 
     paragraph are followed correctly and that consistent training 
     is offered and given to all members regarding prevention of 
     sexual abuse; and
       ``(11) in the case of a national governing body with 
     jurisdiction over more than one amateur sports organization 
     facility or event, establish a mechanism by which--
       ``(A) the national governing body can--
       ``(i) receive a report of suspected sexual misconduct by an 
     adult authorized by a national governing body or a member of 
     a national governing body to interact with a minor or amateur 
     athlete at an amateur sports organization facility or at any 
     event sanctioned by a national governing body or a member of 
     a national governing body; and
       ``(ii) confidentially share a report received under clause 
     (i) with each of the other amateur sports organizations, 
     facilities, or members under the jurisdiction of the national 
     governing body; and
       ``(B) an amateur sports organization, facility, or member 
     under the jurisdiction of the national governing body can--
       ``(i) review the reports received by the national governing 
     body under subparagraph (A)(i) to assess any allegations of 
     sexual misconduct made in such reports; and
       ``(ii) withhold providing to an adult who is the subject of 
     an allegation of sexual misconduct in a report reviewed under 
     clause (i) authority to interact with a minor or amateur 
     athlete at such organization, facility, or event until the 
     resolution of such allegation.
       ``(b) Limited Liability for the United States Olympic 
     Committee, National Governing Bodies, and an Entity 
     Designated by the United States Olympic Committee to 
     Investigate and Resolve Sexual Misconduct Allegations.--

[[Page 8552]]

       ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraphs (2), no 
     civil or criminal action may be brought in any Federal or 
     State court against the United States Olympic Committee, a 
     national governing body, or an amateur sports organization, 
     facility, or event under the jurisdiction of a national 
     governing body, or an entity designated by the United States 
     Olympic Committee to investigate and resolve sexual 
     misconduct allegations described in subsection (a)(11), 
     including any director, officer, employee, or agent of such 
     entity, if the action arises from the execution of the 
     responsibilities or functions described in subsection 
     (a)(11).
       ``(2) Intentional, reckless, or other misconduct.--
     Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a civil or criminal action 
     if the United States Olympic Committee, a national governing 
     body, an amateur sports organization, facility, or event 
     under the jurisdiction of a national governing body, or an 
     entity designated by the United States Olympic Committee to 
     investigate and resolve sexual misconduct allegations 
     described in subsection (a)(11), or a director, officer, 
     employee, or agent of such entity acted or failed to act--
       ``(A) with reckless disregard for a risk of causing injury; 
     or
       ``(B) for a purpose unrelated to the performance of any 
     responsibility or function described in subsection (a)(11).
       ``(3) Limited effect.--Nothing in this section shall apply 
     to any act or omission arising out of any responsibility or 
     function not described in subsection (a)(11).''.
       (c) Rule of Construction.--Section 220522 of such title is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in subsection (a) 
     shall be construed to limit the ability of a national 
     governing body to develop a policy or procedure to prevent an 
     individual who is the subject of an allegation of sexual 
     misconduct from interacting with a minor or amateur athlete 
     until such time as the national governing body, or an entity 
     with applicable jurisdiction resolves such allegation.''.
       (d) Review of Recognition of Amateur Sports Organizations 
     as National Governing Bodies.--Section 220521(d) of title 36, 
     United States Code, is amended by striking ``may'' each place 
     it appears and inserting ``shall''.

  The CHAIR. No amendment to that amendment in the nature of a 
substitute shall be in order except those printed in part A of House 
Report 115-152. Each such amendment may be offered only in the order 
printed in the report, by a Member designated in the report, shall be 
considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the 
report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, 
shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand 
for division of the question.


          Amendment No. 1 Offered by Mr. Johnson of Louisiana

  The CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 1 printed in 
part A of House Report 115-152.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana. Mr. Chairman, as the designee of Chairman 
Goodlatte, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 2, strike line 16, and all that follows through line 3 
     on page 3, and insert the following:
       ``(9) the term `covered individual' means an adult who is 
     authorized by a national governing body or a member of a 
     national governing body to interact with a minor or amateur 
     athlete at an amateur sports organization facility or at any 
     event sanctioned by a national governing body or a member of 
     a national governing body;
       ``(10) the term `event' includes travel, practice, 
     competition, and health or medical treatment; and
       ``(11) the terms `amateur athlete', `amateur sports 
     organization', and `national governing body' have the 
     meanings given such terms in section 220501(b) of title 36, 
     United States Code.''.
       Page 4, line 19, strike ``file'' and insert ``filed''.
       Page 7, strike line 16 and all that follows through line 
     25, and insert the following:
       ``(C) reasonable procedures designed to avoid one-on-one 
     interactions between an amateur athlete who is a minor and an 
     adult (who is not the minor's legal guardian) at an amateur 
     sports organization facility, at any event sanctioned by a 
     national governing body, or any event sanctioned by a member 
     of a national governing body, without being observable or 
     interruptible by another adult, except where the safety and 
     welfare of the minor requires; and''.

  The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 352, the gentleman from 
Louisiana (Mr. Johnson) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Louisiana.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  I am happy to introduce this manager's amendment to H.R. 1973, the 
Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse Act. This amendment is very 
simple. It defines who is covered by the mandatory reporting 
requirement in the underlying bill. The definition harmonizes language 
with the underlying statute, defining this class not by location, but 
by simply keeping the jurisdictional reference where it belongs: in the 
national governing body or a member of a national governing body.
  The amendment also defines the term ``event'' to include travel, 
practice, competition, and health or medical treatment. This definition 
is important as events in USA Gymnastics revealed abuse by USA 
Gymnastics' team doctor Larry Nassar, who molested dozens of young 
girls under the guise of medical treatment. Moreover, other allegations 
of abuse show that it sometimes took place during travel to various 
competitions.
  The amendment also clarifies duties of national governing bodies. 
Under the amendment, national governing bodies must implement 
reasonable procedures designed to avoid one-on-one interactions between 
minors and adults that are not within an observable or interruptible 
distance.
  This amendment assures that the 47 different national governing 
bodies can implement procedures that make sense, given the sport they 
cover, the reach of their influence, and the resources available to 
them.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition, although I do 
not oppose the bill or the amendment.
  The CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from Michigan is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of the amendment offered by the gentleman and point 
out that this amendment addresses the provisions in the bill concerning 
one-on-one interactions between young athletes and the adults who work 
with them.
  The existing version of the bill requires the national governing 
bodies instruct coaches, instructors, doctors, and the like to avoid 
one-on-one situations with the young athletes that cannot be observed 
or interrupted by another adult. Under the proposed change, national 
governing bodies will be required to institute and enforce reasonable 
procedures designed to avoid one-on-one interactions between young 
athletes and their coaches, instructors, and doctors that cannot be 
observed or interrupted by another adult.
  Mr. Goodlatte's amendment also harmonizes language used in the bill 
with language in the underlying statute and makes technical and 
conforming changes.
  I support this amendment and the changes it makes to enhance H.R. 
1973, and I look forward to further discussions of these provisions 
with the Senate, with the goal of producing a consensus bill for 
enactment.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, I am pleased to join the gentleman from 
Louisiana and the ranking member from Michigan in support of this 
amendment. I think it has an underlying premise that we should all 
celebrate and attempt to ensure that it is in place.
  I, too, agree that I look forward to reconciling the House and Senate 
bill, but the amendment specifically addresses the provisions in the 
bill concerning one-on-one interactions between young athletes and the 
adults who they work with; and I believe the clear understanding that 
we all hope can be implemented is that we don't have one-on-one 
interactions without overall supervision or other kids or other adult 
participants so that we do not create an atmosphere where a child can 
be intimidated or abused.
  Under the proposed change, national governing bodies will be required 
to institute and enforce reasonable procedures designed to avoid one-
on-one

[[Page 8553]]

interactions between young athletes and their coaches, instructors, and 
doctors that cannot be observed or interrupted by another adult.
  First of all, we know that the expanse of sports is expanding. There 
are so many new sports, so many new opportunities for adults, many 
committed and dedicated adults, but the real issue is: Let's protect 
the children.
  Mr. Chair, I rise to support the Goodlatte amendment.

                              {time}  1000

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana. Mr. Chair, in closing, I echo what has been 
said already, and I appreciate the comments of my colleagues and 
acknowledge, again, that the manager's amendment is very simple. It 
simply seeks to clear up language and define these terms. It is a 
necessary alteration to the bill, and I encourage our colleagues to 
support the amendment.
  Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman 
from Louisiana (Mr. Johnson).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                  AMENDMENT NO. 2 OFFERED BY MR. COSTA

  The CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 2 printed in 
part A of House Report 115-152.
  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 4, line 21, strike ``reasonably''.

  The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 352, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Costa) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Chair, as a co-chair of the Victims' Rights Caucus, 
along with Congressman Ted Poe, we have over 70 members, bipartisan, to 
focus on protecting victims of crime. We also try to ensure that we 
protect the VOCA funding that goes for very worthwhile efforts for 
organizations throughout the country and to recognize and honor every 
year those who stand out on behalf of victims of crime.
  I want to commend the chairman and the ranking member for advancing 
this legislation, as well as my Senate colleagues, because there is a 
companion piece of legislation that is attempting to address this 
horrible issue in which you have so often young athletes--Olympic-
caliber athletes--some who actually have participated in the Olympics, 
who, at a very young age, find themselves victims of these horrific 
crimes, through no fault of their own.
  Sexual assault, in any form, is a horrible crime and it leaves 
lasting damage to its victims. Sadly, some victims of assault are 
children who may be incapable of truly understanding what is happening 
to them at the time. However, years later, when this poor child comes 
to understand what happened, they are faced with the reality that 
someone who is supposed to be looking after their well-being actually 
betrayed them. This leaves real and very lasting damage that can take 
decades, if not years, for the person to deal with.
  In some instances, sexual assault victims may not discover their 
injuries or the violation until adulthood, years after the abuse 
happened, years after the processing of their own internal trauma, 
years after feeling strong enough finally to go public.
  A perfect example of this is in child pornography. How is a young 
child supposed to find, process, and accuse someone of a crime that 
they simply didn't even know existed?
  There are legitimate constitutional debates dealing with the criminal 
and civil process. We understand that. Current and future legal 
scholars will debate those. I am not a lawyer; I am a farmer. But as a 
farmer, I know we should be able to agree on one simple principle, and 
that principle is that these victims deserve their day in court, they 
deserve due process, and they deserve their time to face the person who 
assaulted them and to ask their fellow citizens or a judge for justice.
  It is our responsibility to do what we can to protect child victims 
and to ensure that they have access to the courts. That is what this 
amendment is all about.
  Mr. Chairman, I want to, in the effort of comity, offer this 
amendment, but I will ask to respectfully withdraw the amendment. This 
is an issue that is not going to go away. I know there are different 
perceptions on how we deal with this.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana. Will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. COSTA. I yield to the gentleman.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana. I appreciate the gentleman's remarks and 
his support for this important legislation.
  Victims should, of course, have reasonable opportunity to seek 
justice and face their accusers in court. This bill is a good one and 
fair to all parties, and I look forward to working with the gentleman 
to get it to the President's desk.
  Mr. COSTA. I will accept that and continue to work with the gentleman 
and Chairman Goodlatte from Virginia, because, at the end of the day, 
to have some success and to move this forward, we are going to have to 
have reconciliation between the Senate bill and the House bill in how 
this is treated. I would hope that we would gain that agreement, and 
then we could move the legislation for signature.
  Mr. Chair, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment.
  The CHAIR. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from 
California?
  There was no objection.
  The CHAIR. The amendment is withdrawn.


               AMENDMENT NO. 3 OFFERED BY MR. O'HALLERAN

  The CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 3 printed in 
part A of House Report 115-152.
  Mr. O'HALLERAN. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 7, line 25, strike ``and'' at the end.
       Page 8, insert after line 10 the following:
       ``(E) requiring dedicated information and resources, which 
     may include sexual assault hotlines and victims' support 
     resources, to be clearly listed on the national governing 
     body's official website; and''.

  The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 352, the gentleman from 
Arizona (Mr. O'Halleran) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona.
  Mr. O'HALLERAN. Mr. Chair, as a former law enforcement officer, I 
know all too well what happens when our institutions fail to protect 
our most valued and treasured among us: our children.
  The recent reports of young athletes experiencing sexual assault and 
abuse at the hands of trusted adults are not just abhorrent, they are 
unacceptable.
  Last year, tragically, one of our own young gymnasts in Mesa, 
Arizona, came forward after years of abuse by a coach at his gym.
  We must do better. No child anywhere should face the risk of abuse. 
That is why I am proud to support the bill before us today, which will 
go a long way in protecting our young athletes.
  My bipartisan amendment, which is cosponsored by Congresswoman Sinema 
and Congressman Biggs, simply builds on the underlying bill's spirit by 
requiring national governing bodies to clearly list information and 
resources, which may include sexual assault hotlines and victim support 
resources, on their official websites.
  As a former cop who has dealt with vulnerable victims, I know from my 
experience that resources like sexual assault hotlines are a critical 
tool between victims, families, local health providers, and law 
enforcement.
  Requiring governing bodies, like USA Gymnastics, to clearly list this 
type of information on their websites is an important step forward in 
ensuring support for victims and their families.
  As adults and parents, we place our children in the trusted hands of 
coaches, trainers, and others when we support and encourage their 
involvement in sports.

[[Page 8554]]

  We all know sports play such a critical role in so many of our 
communities. It is where we learn about teamwork, resilience, hard 
work, and perseverance. These spaces should be safe for children to 
learn, grow, and develop as healthy athletes and adults.
  We have a moral obligation to ensure our kids have protection and 
access to the information they deserve. My commonsense amendment helps 
do just that.
  I thank Representative Sinema and Representative Biggs for their 
support on this amendment, as well as the sponsors of H.R. 1973 for 
their good work on this important bill.
  I urge my colleagues to support my amendment.
  Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition, 
although I am not opposed to this commonsense amendment, as has just 
been articulated.
  The CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana. Mr. Chair, I want to thank Mr. O'Halleran 
and Mr. Biggs for offering this amendment. It will help to prevent 
abuse at these national governing bodies and, as stated, it will 
encourage children to report abuse when they are able to quickly and 
easily access this information.
  Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. O'HALLERAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as she may consume to 
the gentlewoman from Arizona (Ms. Sinema).
  Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Chair, I thank Mr. O'Halleran for yielding and for 
his leadership on this important issue.
  Sexual abuse is abhorrent. It is particularly abhorrent when it is 
conducted by an individual in a position of authority: a coach, a 
trainer, a teacher.
  The community of Mesa, Arizona, which Mr. Biggs and I represent, was 
rocked by a tragic event in which a young athlete was abused for at 
least 3 years before receiving help. Had he or other young athletes 
experiencing similar nightmares had access to resources and support, 
perhaps the nightmare could have ended sooner, perhaps it could have 
been prevented.
  Our bipartisan amendment is simple. It builds on a very good 
bipartisan bill by requiring governing bodies to list dedicated 
information and resources for victims and families on official 
websites.
  No individual should suffer from sexual abuse. No family should go 
without support when they are in need.
  I thank the two gentlemen, my friends from Arizona, Mr. O'Halleran 
and Mr. Biggs, for cosponsoring this amendment. I urge my colleagues to 
vote ``yes'' on our amendment and to support the underlying bill.
  Mr. O'HALLERAN. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. I thank the gentleman from Louisiana for his 
courtesies. I want to enthusiastically congratulate and thank the 
gentlemen and gentlewoman from Arizona for responding to their 
constituents and answering a question positively about protecting our 
young people.
  I spoke earlier today about what happens with young people and their 
aspirations when they engage in sports. They want to win, but they also 
want to, if you will, to impress adults and to show that they can do 
the very best that they can do.
  So I want to congratulate them for this amendment that advances the 
purposes and goals of protecting young victims from sexual abuse by 
requiring the national governing bodies to include resources and 
information regarding sexual assault and having sexual assault hotlines 
and other victim support services on their websites.
  With this new technology, it will be at their fingertips. They don't 
have to, in essence, expose themselves. They can get this information 
and readily access the very people that will help them.
  So I want to congratulate the manager, Mr. Conyers, and, of course, 
the chairman of the committee and the proponents of the underlying 
bill. I want to congratulate Mr. O'Halleran. His efforts here are to be 
commended, and I thank him for this insightful amendment to the 
legislation.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman 
from Arizona (Mr. O'Halleran).
  The amendment was agreed to.
  The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment in the nature of a 
substitute, as amended.
  The amendment was agreed to.
  The CHAIR. Under the rule, the Committee rises.
  Accordingly, the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. 
McCarthy) having assumed the chair, Mr. Poliquin, Chair of the 
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, reported that 
that Committee, having had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1973) to 
prevent the sexual abuse of minors and amateur athletes by requiring 
the prompt reporting of sexual abuse to law enforcement authorities, 
and for other purposes, and, pursuant to House Resolution 352, he 
reported the bill back to the House with an amendment adopted in the 
Committee of the Whole.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Poliquin). Under the rule, the previous 
question is ordered.
  Is a separate vote demanded on any amendment to the amendment 
reported from the Committee of the Whole?
  If not, the question is on the amendment in the nature of a 
substitute, as amended.
  The amendment was agreed to.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the engrossment and third 
reading of the bill.
  The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, and was 
read the third time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the passage of the bill.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the ayes appeared to have it.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this question will be postponed.

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