U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) co-sponsored bipartisan legislation on Wednesday that would make it easier for families to locate missing loved ones.
The bill would also extend support to help locate missing individuals with autism.
U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Tillis introduced Kevin and Avonte’s Law, S. 2614, which would reauthorize the Missing Alzheimer’s Disease Patient Alert Program.
The bill would extend support to help locate missing individuals with autism.
“I’m honored to join Sen. Grassley and Sen. Schumer in their effort to create a system that will help locate children with autism who are prone to wandering,” Tillis said.
Kevin and Avonte’s Law is named in honor of two autistic boys, Kevin Curtis Wills and Avonte Oquendo, who both drowned after wandering away from their schools.
“This legislation will give families in North Carolina and across the nation the peace of mind that our local communities and first responders have the resources to help find missing children with autism spectrum disorder and adults with Alzheimer’s disease,” Tillis said.
Under the bill, Department of Justice grants could be used by state and local law enforcement agencies and nonprofits to provide education and training to prevent autistic individuals from wandering. States would also have access to resources to help locate autistic individuals who do wander.
Grant funding would be available for training and emergency protocols, to supply first responders with additional resources, to improve tracking technology programs, and to establish enhanced notification and communications systems.