§ 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.