PROTECT Our Children Act of 2008/Title IV

TITLE IV--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE STUDY OF RISK FACTORS

SEC. 401. NIJ STUDY OF RISK FACTORS FOR ASSESSING DANGEROUSNESS.

(a) In General- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the National Institute of Justice shall prepare a report to identify investigative factors that reliably indicate whether a subject of an online child exploitation investigation poses a high risk of harm to children. Such a report shall be prepared in consultation and coordination with Federal law enforcement agencies, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Operation Fairplay at the Wyoming Attorney General's Office, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and other State and local law enforcement.

(b) Contents of Analysis- The report required by subsection (a) shall include a thorough analysis of potential investigative factors in on-line child exploitation cases and an appropriate examination of investigative data from prior prosecutions and case files of identified child victims.

(c) Report to Congress- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the National Institute of Justice shall submit a report to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees that includes the findings of the study required by this section and makes recommendations on technological tools and law enforcement procedures to help investigators prioritize scarce resources to those cases where there is actual hands-on abuse by the suspect.

(d) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated $500,000 to the National Institute of Justice to conduct the study required under this section.