On May 15, the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations approved, by voice vote, the Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act of 2013 (H.R. 1951). The subcommittee held a hearing on international child abduction on May 9 (see The Source, 5/10/13).
Sponsored by Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ), the bill would direct the secretary of State to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with every country that is not party to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (the Hague Convention), in order to ensure the prompt return of children abducted to such countries. Countries that exhibit a pattern of non-cooperation with the Hague Convention or a MOU are subject to presidential action, including a public condemnation; the delay or cancellation of scientific exchanges; and the denial of one or more working, official, or state visits. The legislation also would require the secretary of State to submit to Congress an Annual Report on International Child Abduction.
The text of the H.R. 1951 is available here.