Bill Overview
Title: Bring Abducted Children Home Amendments Act
Description: This bill revises various provisions regarding international child abduction, including to increase the maximum term of imprisonment from 3 years to 10 years for retaining a child outside the United States with intent to obstruct the lawful exercise of parental rights.
Sponsors: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Target Audience
Population: Globally abducted children and their family members
Estimated Size: 1200
- The bill focuses on international child abduction, specifically addressing cases where children are retained outside the United States.
- There are approximately 800,000 children reported missing each year in the United States, but only a small fraction of these cases involve international abduction.
- According to the U.S. Department of State, between 200 and 300 cases of international parental child abductions are reported annually involving American children.
- The bill aims to deter international abductions by increasing penalties, thus potentially impacting families with abducted children currently retained abroad.
Reasoning
- The policy targets a specific subset of abducted children, those who are taken internationally. The number of cases annually is relatively low, around 200-300 cases as reported to the U.S. State Department.
- The budget indicates a focus on legal proceedings, rehabilitative support for families, and preventive education. However, it might not drastically change the overall wellbeing of the population due to its narrow focus.
- The policy may have a psychological impact on families affected by international abduction by providing a sense of justice or deterrence.
- Individuals not directly affected by international abduction may view this policy as more of a legislative update with limited direct impact on their wellbeing.
- Some interviewees will not see any impact from this policy due to its specific and limited scope.
Simulated Interviews
Teacher (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am relieved about the policy because it increases the penalties for abductors.
- This can discourage potential abductors knowing that they face harsher consequences.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Software Engineer (Houston, TX)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy seems like a strong deterrent. Knowing there is increased punishment gives us some hope that our family can be reunited sooner.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Lawyer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the policy strengthens our legal toolkit to address this serious crime. It reassures families seeking justice.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Journalist (Chicago, IL)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increasing penalties is a good start, but prevention and faster interventions are also crucial.
- This will likely make a difference in public awareness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Psychologist (Miami, FL)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act could potentially help reduce trauma by discouraging abductions, but healing requires more support than legal measures alone.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Software Developer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy doesn't seem to affect my daily life, but I understand its importance for those affected.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired (Denver, CO)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Such policies are a step in the right direction, but families need more immediate support and counseling.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
College Student (Boston, MA)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's heartening to see increased penalties for international child abduction in the law. It shows a commitment to human rights.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Police Officer (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy gives us a stronger tool to combat child abduction and ensure a legal framework that deters future cases.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Tech Entrepreneur (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like this have little impact on my life unless I knew someone personally affected.
- It's good to know the justice system is addressing these serious issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $8000000)
Year 2: $4900000 (Low: $3000000, High: $8000000)
Year 3: $4800000 (Low: $2800000, High: $7800000)
Year 5: $4500000 (Low: $2500000, High: $7500000)
Year 10: $4000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $7000000)
Year 100: $2000000 (Low: $1000000, High: $5000000)
Key Considerations
- The increase in prison sentences might have a limited deterrent effect given the specific nature of these crimes.
- Legal costs associated with longer trials and international cooperation may rise initially.
- Potential beneficial psychological impact on affected families knowing offenders face stronger penalties.