A bill to enhance the operation of the AMBER Alert communications network in order to facilitate the recovery of abducted children, to provide for enhanced notification on highways of alerts and information on such children, and for other purposes.
Requires the Coordinator to: (1) seek to eliminate gaps in the network; (2) work with States to encourage the development of additional network elements and to ensure regional coordination; (3) act as the nationwide point of contact for network development and for regional coordination of alerts on abducted children through the network; (4) notify and consult with the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation concerning each child abduction for which an AMBER alert is issued; (5) establish minimum standards for the issuance of alerts and for the extent of their dissemination (limited to the geographic areas most likely to facilitate the recovery of the abducted child); (6) cooperate with the Secretary, the Federal Communications Commission, local broadcasters, and State and local law enforcement agencies; and (7) consult with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and other private sector entities and organizations (including non-profit organizations) having relevant expertise.
(Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary of Transportation to provide grants to States for the development or enhancement of notification or communications systems along highways for alerts and other information for the recovery of abducted children. Includes among permissible activities the development or enhancement of electronic message boards, and the placement of additional signage, along highways.
(Sec. 5) Directs the Attorney General to provide grants to States for the development or enhancement of education, training, and law enforcement programs and activities for the support of AMBER Alert communications plans.
Authorizes appropriations.
See also H.R. 5422.
Introduced in Senate
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8094)
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Technology, Terrorism, and Government Information. Hearings held.
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 566.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S8436-8441; text as passed Senate: CR S8437)
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8436-8441; text as passed Senate: CR S8437)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
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Received in the House.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.