§ 2370c — Definitions

In sections 2370c to 2370c–2 of this title: (1) The term “appropriate congressional committees” means— (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; (B) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; (C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; and (D) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. (2) Consistent with the provisions of the Optional Protocol to the Convention of the Rights of the Child, the term “child soldier”— (A) means— (i) any person under 18 years of age who takes a direct part in hostilities as a member of governmental armed forces, police, or other security forces; (ii) any person under 18 years of age who has been compulsorily recruited into governmental armed forces, police, or other security forces; (iii) any person under 15 years of age who has been voluntarily recruited into governmental armed forces, police, or other security forces; or (iv) any person under 18 years of age who has been recruited or used in hostilities by armed forces distinct from the armed forces of a state; and (B) includes any person described in clause (ii), (iii), or (iv) of subparagraph (A) who is serving in any capacity, including in a support role such as a cook, porter, messenger, medic, guard, or sex slave.