On Monday, the Senate passed, by a vote of 84-0, the Prosecutorial Remedies and Tools Against the Exploitation of Children Today Act of 2003, or the ‘PROTECT Act’ (S. 151). For reference, please see Senate Rpt. 108-002 – The PROTECT Act of 2003.
This legislation will assist law enforcement in their efforts to track and identify pedophiles using the Internet, and permit the use of relevant images and graphics in prosecuting such cases. In addition, this bill is seen as a response to the April 16, 2002 Supreme Court decision, Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition (00-795), 198 F.3d 1083, that overturned most of the Child Pornography Prevention Act of 1996 (CPPA).
See also the Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy, co-sponsor of the Prosecutorial Remedies and Tools against the Exploitation of Children Today Act (PROTECT Act) of 2003.