A bill to expand the grants authorized under Jennifer's Law and Kristen's Act to include processing of unidentified remains, resolving missing persons cases, and for other purposes.
Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains Act of 2019
This bill revises the authority for state grants to improve the reporting of unidentified and missing persons.
The bill authorizes grants to be used for additional activities. In particular, grants may be used to improve the transportation, processing, and identification of missing persons and unidentified remains, including with respect to migrants. Further, the bill expands eligible entities to include local governments, medical examiners' offices, certain accredited and publicly funded laboratories, and certain nonprofit organizations.
In addition, the bill expands the allowable uses of grant funds to include costs related to transportation, hiring, and procuring forensic equipment.
The bill requires any DNA reference sample that is received from a suspected biological family member and uploaded into the Combined DNA Index System to be used only for identifying missing persons and unidentified remains.
Next, the bill requires the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to purchase, deploy, and maintain no more than 170 rescue beacons along the southern border to mitigate migrant deaths.
The bill also requires the CBP, the Department of Justice, and the Government Accountability Office to submit specified reports to Congress.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Held at the desk.
Ms. Scanlon moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7217-7219)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2174.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H7217-7218)
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7217-7218)
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendments to Senate bill.
Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendments to S. 2174 by Unanimous Consent.
Enacted as Public Law 116-277
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Senate agreed to the House amendments to S. 2174 by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7828)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Became Public Law No: 116-277.
Became Public Law No: 116-277.