IB 
Union Calendar No. 242 
111TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 3695 
[Report No. 111–416] 
To authorize funding for, and increase accessibility to, the National Missing 
and Unidentified Persons System, to facilitate data sharing between 
such system and the National Crime Information Center database of 
the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to provide incentive grants to help 
facilitate reporting to such systems, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 1, 2009 
Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut (for himself and Mr. POE of Texas) introduced 
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 
FEBRUARY 22, 2010 
Additional sponsors: Mr. MINNICK, Mr. WHITFIELD, Ms. SHEA-PORTER, Mr. 
GORDON of Tennessee, Mrs. MALONEY, Mr. MCCOTTER, Mr. HINCHEY, 
Ms. NORTON, Ms. FUDGE, Mr. MCINTYRE, Mr. CHANDLER, Ms. 
DELAURO, Mr. FARR, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. COURTNEY, Mr. 
MASSA, Ms. CHU, Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi, Ms. WASSERMAN 
SCHULTZ, Mr. CONYERS, Ms. WATERS, Mr. QUIGLEY, Mr. LARSON of 
Connecticut, Mr. MURPHY of New York, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. LEE of New 
York, Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, and 
Mr. ROTHMAN of New Jersey 
FEBRUARY 22, 2010 
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole 
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed 
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] 
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on October 1, 2009] 
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A BILL 
To authorize funding for, and increase accessibility to, the 
National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, to 
facilitate data sharing between such system and the Na-
tional Crime Information Center database of the Federal 
Bureau of Investigation, to provide incentive grants to 
help facilitate reporting to such systems, and for other 
purposes. 
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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 ‘‘Help Find the Missing 
Act’’ or ‘‘Billy’s Law’’. 
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF THE NATIONAL MISSING AND 
UNIDENTIFIED PERSONS SYSTEM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Attorney General, through the 
Director of the National Institute of Justice, is authorized 
to maintain public databases, known as the ‘‘National 
Missing and Unidentified Persons System’’ or ‘‘NamUs’’, 
to contain missing persons records and unidentified re-
mains cases for purposes of assisting to identify missing 
people and solve cases of unidentified human remains. All 
functions, personnel, assets, liabilities, and administrative 
actions applicable to the National Missing and Unidenti-
fied Persons System carried out by the National Institute 
of Justice on the date before the date of the enactment of 
this Act shall be transferred to the National Missing and 
Unidentified Persons System authorized under this section 
as of the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$2,400,000 for each of the fiscal years 2011 through 2016. 
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SEC. 3. SHARING OF INFORMATION BETWEEN NCIC AND 
NAMUS. 
(a) SHARING OF INFORMATION.—Not later than the 
end of the 30-day period beginning on the date the online 
data entry format is updated under subsection (c), the At-
torney General shall, in accordance with this section, pro-
vide for information on missing persons and unidentified 
human remains contained in the NCIC database (as defined 
in section 7) to be transmitted to, entered in, and otherwise 
shared with the NamUs databases (as defined in such sec-
tion) and for such information contained in the NamUs 
databases to be transmitted to, entered in, and otherwise 
shared with the NCIC database. 
(b) RULES ON CONFIDENTIALITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney 
General, in consultation with the Director of the Fed-
eral Bureau of Investigation (in this Act referred to 
as the ‘‘FBI’’), shall promulgate rules pursuant to no-
tice and comment that specify the information the At-
torney General may provide from the NCIC files to 
the NamUs databases for purposes of this Act. Such 
rules shall— 
(A) provide for the protection of law en-
forcement sensitive, confidential, and private in-
formation contained in the NCIC files; 
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(B) be promulgated only after the Director 
approves recommendations by the Advisory Pol-
icy Board of the Criminal Justice Information 
Services Division of the FBI; 
(C) specify the circumstances in which por-
tions of information may be withheld from 
transfer, entry, or sharing from the NCIC data-
base to the NamUs databases; and 
(D) provide that once an authorized agency 
provides an authorization to permit the trans-
mission, entering, or sharing of information (or 
portions of information) from the NCIC database 
to the NamUs databases, such authorization shall 
be deemed to apply to any updates made to such 
information, unless otherwise specified by the 
agency. 
(2) SUBMISSIONS PRIOR TO ONLINE DATA ENTRY 
FORMAT UPDATE.—With respect to information sub-
mitted to the NCIC database before the end of the 30- 
day period specified in subsection (a), the Attorney 
General may solicit from appropriate authorized 
agencies authorization to transmit, enter, or share 
such information. 
(c) UPDATES.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney 
General shall update the online data entry format for 
the NCIC database and NamUs databases to provide 
State criminal justice agencies, offices of medical ex-
aminers, and offices of coroners with the option to au-
thorize the submission of new information and data 
that is reported to and entered into the NCIC data-
base to simultaneously be submitted to and entered 
into the NamUs databases. 
(2) NCIC FORMAT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—In the case of the NCIC 
database, an update described in paragraph (1) 
shall include— 
(i) an update to the NCIC database 
online data entry format that States use in 
submitting missing persons and unidenti-
fied remains reports, including the addition 
of a new data field allowing States, on be-
half of the authorized agency that originally 
submitted the data, to select whether or not 
to have the NCIC report, subject to the rules 
promulgated under subsection (b), shared 
with the NamUs databases; and 
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(ii) subject to subparagraph (B), a re-
quirement that as a condition of partici-
pating in the NCIC database, States must 
update their missing persons and unidenti-
fied remains collection processes from local 
and tribal law enforcement, medical exam-
iners, and coroners to enable the States to 
acquire information on whether or not the 
authorized agencies originally submitting 
data with respect to a missing person or 
unidentified remains have provided author-
ization to share the information with the 
NamUs databases. 
(B) 
EXCEPTION.—Subparagraph 
(A)(ii) 
shall not apply with respect to any State that 
has in effect a State law providing for a method-
ology to authorize the sharing of information be-
tween the NCIC database and NamUs databases. 
(d) AMENDMENTS TO TITLE XXXVII OF THE CRIME 
CONTROL ACT OF 1990 TO REQUIRE REPORTS OF MISSING 
CHILDREN TO NAMUS.— 
(1) REPORTING REQUIREMENT.—Section 3701(a) 
of title XXXVII of the Crime Control Act of 1990 (42 
U.S.C. 5779(a)) is amended by striking the period 
and inserting the following: ‘‘and, consistent with sec-
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tion 3 (including rules promulgated pursuant to sec-
tion 3(b)) of the Help Find the Missing Act, shall also 
report such case, either directly or through authoriza-
tion described in such section to transmit, enter, or 
share information on such case, to the NamUs data-
bases (as defined in section 7 of such Act).’’. 
(2) STATE
REQUIREMENTS.—Section 3702 of 
title XXXVII of the Crime Control Act of 1990 (42 
U.S.C. 5780) is amended— 
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘or the 
National Crime Information Center computer 
database’’ and inserting ‘‘, the National Crime 
Information Center computer database, or the 
NamUs databases (as defined in section 7 of the 
Help Find the Missing Act)’’; 
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘and the 
National Crime Information Center computer 
networks’’ and inserting ‘‘, the National Crime 
Information Center computer networks, and the 
NamUs databases (as so defined)’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (4)— 
(i) in the matter preceding subpara-
graph (A), by inserting ‘‘or the NamUs 
databases’’ after ‘‘National Crime Informa-
tion Center’’; and 
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(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
‘‘and National Crime Information Center 
computer networks’’ and inserting ‘‘, Na-
tional Crime Information Center computer 
networks, and the NamUs databases’’. 
(3) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made 
by this subsection shall apply with respect to reports 
made before, on, or after the date of the enactment of 
this Act beginning on the last day of the 30-day pe-
riod described in subsection (a). 
SEC. 4. INCENTIVE GRANTS PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than one year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall 
establish a program to provide grants to qualifying law en-
forcement agencies (as defined in subsection (j)), offices of 
coroners, offices of medical examiners, and other authorized 
agencies to facilitate the process of reporting information 
regarding missing persons and unidentified remains to the 
NCIC database and NamUs databases for purposes of as-
sisting in locating such missing persons and identifying 
such remains. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—As a condition of a grant under 
this section, a grant recipient shall, with respect to each 
case reported to the agency or office of the recipient relating 
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to a missing person described in a category under sub-
section (e) or relating to unidentified remains— 
(1) not later than 72 hours after such case is re-
ported to the agency or office and consistent with sub-
section (c), submit to the NCIC database and NamUs 
databases— 
(A) in the case of a missing person de-
scribed in a category under subsection (e), at 
least the minimum information described in sub-
section (f)(1); and 
(B) in the case of unidentified remains, at 
least the minimum information described in sub-
section (f)(2); and 
(2) not later than 60 days after the original 
entry of the report, verify and update any original 
report entered into the State law enforcement system, 
the NCIC database, or NamUs databases after receipt 
of the grant with any additional information, includ-
ing, to the greatest extent possible— 
(A) information on the extent to which 
DNA samples are available, including the avail-
ability of such samples submitted to the National 
DNA Index System under subsection (b)(3); 
(B) 
fingerprints, 
medical 
and 
dental 
records, and photographs of any distinguishing 
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characteristics such as scars, marks, tattoos, 
piercings, and other unique physical characteris-
tics; 
(C) in the case of unidentified remains, 
photographs or digital images that may assist in 
identifying the decedent, including fingerprint 
cards, radiographs, palmprints, and distinctive 
features of the decedent’s personal effects; and 
(D) any other information determined to be 
appropriate by the Attorney General; and 
(3) not later than 60 days after the original 
entry of the report, to the greatest extent possible, sub-
mit to the National DNA Index System of the Federal 
Bureau of Investigation, established pursuant to sec-
tion 210304 of the Violent Crime Control and Law 
Enforcement Act of 1994, (either directly or through 
use of NamUs victims assistance resources and DNA 
collection services) DNA samples and information re-
lating to such case. 
For purposes of paragraph (2), in the case of information 
a grant recipient authorizes to be transferred, entered, or 
shared under section 3 between the NCIC database and 
NamUs databases, any update to such information shall be 
simultaneously made with respect to both databases unless 
specified otherwise by the recipient. 
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(c) SUBMISSION OF REPORTS.—To satisfy subsection 
(b)(1), a recipient of a grant under this section shall submit 
information required under such subsection— 
(1) separately to the NCIC database and NamUs 
databases; or 
(2) in accordance with section 3, simultaneously 
to the NamUs databases when reporting to the NCIC 
database or to the NCIC database when reporting to 
the NamUs databases. 
(d) PERMISSIBLE USE OF FUNDS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The permissible uses of grants 
awarded under this section include the use of funds— 
(A) to hire additional personnel, to acquire 
technology to facilitate timely data entry into 
the relevant databases; 
(B) to conduct contracting activities rel-
evant to outsourcing the processing of unidenti-
fied remains and the reporting of the resulting 
information to the NCIC database and NamUs 
databases; 
(C) to train local law enforcement per-
sonnel, medical examiners, and coroners to use 
the NCIC database and NamUs databases; 
(D) to assist States’ transition into the new 
system under which information is shared be-
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tween the NCIC database and NamUs databases; 
and 
(E) for other purposes consistent with the 
goals of this section. 
(2) CLARIFICATION.—In no case may a recipient 
of a grant under this section use funds to enter or 
help facilitate the entrance of any false or misleading 
information about missing persons or unidentified re-
mains. 
(e) CATEGORIES
OF MISSING PERSONS.—The cat-
egories of missing persons described in this subsection are 
the following: 
(1) A missing person age 21 or older who— 
(A) is senile or is suffering from a proven 
mental or physical disability, as documented by 
a source deemed credible to an appropriate law 
enforcement entity; or 
(B) is missing under circumstances that in-
dicate, as determined by an appropriate law en-
forcement entity— 
(i) that the person’s physical safety 
may be endangered; 
(ii) that the disappearance may not 
have been voluntary, such as abduction or 
kidnapping; or 
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(iii) that the disappearance may have 
been caused by a natural disaster or catas-
trophe (such as an airplane crash or ter-
rorist attack). 
(2) A missing person who does not meet the cri-
teria described in paragraph (1) but who meets one 
of the following criteria: 
(A) There is a reasonable concern, as deter-
mined by an appropriate law enforcement enti-
ty, for the safety of the missing person. 
(B) The person is under age 21 and eman-
cipated under the laws of the person’s State of 
residence. 
(f) MINIMUM INFORMATION REQUIRED.— 
(1) CONTENT FOR MISSING PERSONS.—The min-
imum information described in this section, with re-
spect to a missing person, is the following: 
(A) The name, date of birth, city and State 
of residence, gender, race, height, weight, eye 
color, and hair color of the missing person. 
(B) The date and location of the last known 
contact with the missing person. 
(C) The category described in subsection (e) 
in which the missing person is classified. 
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(2) CONTENT
FOR
UNIDENTIFIED
HUMAN
RE-
MAINS.—The minimum information described in this 
section, with respect to unidentified human remains, 
is the following: 
(A) The estimated age, gender, race, height, 
weight, hair color, and eye color. 
(B) Any distinguishing characteristics such 
as scars, marks, tattoos, piercings, and other 
unique physical characteristics. 
(C) A description of clothing found on the 
decedent. 
(D) City and State where the unidentified 
human remains were found. 
(E) Information on how to contact the law 
enforcement agency handling the investigation 
and the unidentified human remains. 
(F) Information on the extent to which 
DNA samples are available, including the avail-
ability of such samples submitted to the National 
DNA Index System under subsection (b)(3). 
(g) ADMINISTRATION.—The Attorney General shall 
prescribe requirements, including with respect to applica-
tions, for grants awarded under this section and shall deter-
mine the amount of each such grant. 
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(h) CONFIDENTIALITY.—As a condition of a grant 
under this section, the recipient of the grant shall ensure 
that information reported under the grant meets the re-
quirements promulgated by the Attorney General under sec-
tion 3(b)(1). 
(i) ANNUAL SUMMARY.—For each of the fiscal years 
2012 through 2015, the Attorney General shall publish an 
annual statistical summary of the reports required by sub-
section (c). 
(j) QUALIFYING LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY DE-
FINED.—For purposes of this Act, the term ‘‘qualifying law 
enforcement agency’’ means a State, local, or tribal law en-
forcement agency. 
(k) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2011 through 2015. 
SEC. 5. REPORT ON BEST PRACTICES. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Attorney General shall issue a report to of-
fices of medical examiners, offices of coroners, and Federal, 
State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies describing 
the best practices for the collection, reporting, and analysis 
of data and information on missing persons and unidenti-
fied human remains. Such best practices shall— 
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(1) provide an overview of the NCIC database 
and NamUs databases; 
(2) describe how local law enforcement agencies, 
offices of medical examiners, and offices of coroners 
should access and use the NCIC database and NamUs 
databases; 
(3) describe the appropriate and inappropriate 
uses of the NCIC database and NamUs databases; and 
(4) describe the standards and protocols for the 
collection, reporting, and analysis of data and infor-
mation on missing persons and unidentified human 
remains. 
SEC. 6. REPORT TO CONGRESS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act and biennially thereafter, the 
Attorney General shall submit to the Committee on the Ju-
diciary of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on the Judiciary of the Senate a report describing the status 
of the NCIC database and NamUs databases. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The report required by subsection (a) 
shall describe, to the extent available, information on— 
(1) the process of information sharing between 
the NCIC database and NamUs databases; and 
(2) the programs funded by grants awarded 
under section 4. 
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SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS. 
For the purposes of this Act, the following definitions 
apply: 
(a) AUTHORIZED AGENCY.—The term ‘‘authorized 
agency’’ means a government agency with an originating 
agency identification (ORI) number and that is a criminal 
justice agency, as defined for purposes of subpart A of part 
20 of title 28, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(b) NAMUS DATABASES.—The term ‘‘NamUs data-
bases’’ means the National Missing and Unidentified Per-
sons System Missing Persons database and National Miss-
ing and Unidentified Persons System Unidentified Dece-
dents database maintained by the National Institute of Jus-
tice of the Department of Justice. 
(c) NCIC DATABASE.—The term ‘‘NCIC database’’ 
means the National Crime Information Center Missing Per-
son File and National Crime Information Center Unidenti-
fied Person File of the National Crime Information Center 
database of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, established 
pursuant to section 534 of title 28, United States Code. 
(d) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means any State of the 
United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth 
of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, 
Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Is-
lands. 
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Union Calendar No. 242 
111TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 3695 
[Report No. 111–416] 
A BILL 
To authorize funding for, and increase accessibility 
to, the National Missing and Unidentified Per-
sons System, to facilitate data sharing between 
such system and the National Crime Information 
Center database of the Federal Bureau of Inves-
tigation, to provide incentive grants to help facili-
tate reporting to such systems, and for other 
purposes. 
FEBRUARY 22, 2010 
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Com-
mittee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, 
and ordered to be printed 
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