Protecting Children in Surrogacy Act

The "Protecting Children in Surrogacy Act" aims to prevent individuals designated as covered sex offenders from acquiring children through surrogacy arrangements. Specifically, it makes it a federal crime for any sex offender, required to register on the National Sex Offender Registry, to knowingly obtain a child via surrogacy or enter into a surrogacy contract as an intended parent. Violators of this prohibition could face significant penalties, including fines, imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both. The bill establishes federal jurisdiction for these offenses when there is an involvement of interstate or foreign commerce, such as travel, payments, communications, or if the conduct occurs in U.S. special maritime and territorial jurisdiction. Furthermore, federal courts are explicitly prohibited from enforcing any surrogacy contract where an intended parent is a covered sex offender. Beyond criminalizing such actions, the legislation also grants federal district courts original jurisdiction over civil actions concerning surrogacy contracts that involve interstate or foreign commerce. The bill provides clear definitions for key terms like "covered sex offender," "surrogacy," "surrogacy contract," and "intended parent," ensuring precise application of its provisions.