18 U.S.C. § 2442 — Recruitment or use of child soldiers

(a) Offense. A person who knowingly (1) recruits, enlists, or conscripts someone to serve in an armed force or group while that person is under 15, or (2) uses someone under 15 to take an active part in hostilities, knowing the person's age, is punished under (b).

(b) Penalty. A person who violates, attempts to violate, or conspires to violate (a) may be fined, imprisoned for up to 20 years, or both. If anyone dies as a result, the person must be fined and imprisoned for any number of years or for life.

(c) Jurisdiction. Federal jurisdiction exists over an offense, attempt, or conspiracy under (a) if (1) the alleged offender is a United States national, as defined in 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(22), or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, as defined in 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(20); (2) the alleged offender is stateless and habitually resides in the United States; (3) the alleged offender is in the United States, regardless of nationality; or (4) the offense happens wholly or partly in the United States.

(d) Definitions. (1) "Participate actively in hostilities" means taking part in (A) combat or combat-related military activities, including sabotage and serving as a decoy, courier, or at a military checkpoint; or (B) direct combat-support functions, including transporting supplies or providing other services. This section does not otherwise define the quoted term. (2) "Armed force or group" means an army, militia, or other military organization^*, whether state-sponsored or not. It does not include a group formed solely for nonviolent political association. This section does not otherwise define the quoted term.