I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 362
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. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 27, 2003
Mr. HEFLEY introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by 
the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall with-
in the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To enhance the operation of the AMBER Alert communica-
tions network in order to facilitate the recovery of ab-
ducted children, to provide for enhanced notification on 
highways of alerts and information on such children, 
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘National AMBER 
Alert Network Act of 2003’’.
SEC. 2. NATIONAL COORDINATION OF AMBER ALERT COM-
MUNICATIONS NETWORK. 
(a) COORDINATION WITHIN DEPARTMENT OF JUS-
TICE.—The Attorney General shall assign an officer of the 
Department of Justice to act as the national coordinator 
of the AMBER Alert communications network regarding 
abducted children. The officer so designated shall be 
known as the ‘‘AMBER Alert Coordinator of the Depart-
ment of Justice’’. 
(b) DUTIES.—In acting as the national coordinator 
of the AMBER Alert communications network, the Coor-
dinator shall—
(1) seek to eliminate gaps in the network, in-
cluding gaps in areas of interstate travel; 
(2) work with States to encourage the develop-
ment of additional elements in the network (known 
as local AMBER plans); 
(3) work with States to ensure appropriate re-
gional coordination of various elements of the net-
work; and 
(4) act as the nationwide point of contact for—
(A) the development of the network; and 
(B) regional coordination of alerts on ab-
ducted children through the network. 
(c) CONSULTATION WITH FEDERAL BUREAU OF IN-
VESTIGATION.—In carrying out duties under subsection
(b), the Coordinator shall notify and consult with the Di-
rector of the Federal Bureau of Investigation concerning 
each child abduction for which an alert is issued through 
the AMBER Alert communications network. 
(d) COOPERATION.—The Coordinator shall cooperate 
with the Secretary of Transportation and the Federal 
Communications Commission in carrying out activities 
under this section. 
SEC. 3. MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR ISSUANCE AND DIS-
SEMINATION OF ALERTS THROUGH AMBER 
ALERT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF MINIMUM STANDARDS.—
Subject to subsection (b), the AMBER Alert Coordinator 
of the Department of Justice shall establish minimum 
standards for—
(1) the issuance of alerts through the AMBER 
Alert communications network; and 
(2) the extent of the dissemination of alerts 
issued through the network. 
(b) LIMITATIONS.—
(1) ADOPTABLE
ON
VOLUNTARY
BASIS.—The 
minimum standards established under subsection (a) 
shall be adoptable on a voluntary basis only. 
(2) GEOGRAPHIC AREA.—The minimum stand-
ards shall provide, to the maximum extent prac-