[conservative in nyc]

Everyone keeps citing some federal law preventing explicit IMing of a minor supposedly sponsored by Foley. I can't find it, and nobody else has been able to provide a link thus far.

The age of consent varies by state. In Florida, it is generally 18. In D.C., it is 16. Under some federal laws, it is 18. Under other federal laws, it is 16.

It is clear that any sexually explicit IMing of a consenting person 18 or older isn't a crime. It is not clear that sexually explicit IMing of a consenting person under 18 is not a crime, depending on the state the person IMing is in and whether federal or state law applies.

[PghBaldy]

Child Modeling Exploitation Prevention Act (Introduced in House)[H.R.1142.IH]
Child Fingerprints Safekeeping Act of 2006 (Introduced in House)[H.R.5773.IH]
Child Predator Act of 2005 (Introduced in House)[H.R.1355.IH]
Protecting Our Children from Violence Act of 2005 (Introduced in House)[H.R.1223.IH] I will double check it's probably HR 1355

[PghBaldy]

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c109:H.R.4472: There are 5 versions of Bill Number H.R.4472 for the 109th Congress
1 . Children's Safety and Violent Crime Reduction Act of 2005 (Introduced in House)[H.R.4472.IH]
2 . Children's Safety and Violent Crime Reduction Act of 2006 (Engrossed as Agreed to or Passed by House)[H.R.4472.EH]
3 . Children's Safety and Violent Crime Reduction Act of 2006 (Placed on Calendar in Senate)[H.R.4472.PCS]
4 . Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (Engrossed Amendment as Agreed to by Senate)[H.R.4472.EAS]
5 . Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (Enrolled as Agreed to or Passed by Both House and Senate)[H.R.4472.ENR]

It appears the 2003 Ims would not be covered, IF this is the law people are referring to (it just might be- on the first day of so of the scandal, a montage showing John walsh was shown...)