National AMBER Alert Network Act of 2003

Bill: 108-s-121
Sponsor: Sen. Hutchison, Kay Bailey [R-TX]
Introduced: 2003-01-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Child safety
Criminal investigation
Criminal justice information
Department of Justice
Economics and Public Finance
Executive reorganization
Families
Federal aid to law enforcement
Federal aid to transportation
Federal-local relations
Federal-state relations
Government Operations and Politics
Information networks
Informers
Kidnapping
Missing children
Nonprofit organizations
Police communication systems
Police training
Radio broadcasting
Science, Technology, Communications
Signs and signboards
Social Welfare
Standards
Traffic signs and signals
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2003-01-09
text: National AMBER Alert Network Act of 2003 - Requires the Attorney General to assign an AMBER Alert Coordinator of the Department of Justice to act as the national Coordinator of the AMBER Alert communications network regarding abducted children. 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; and (3) act as the nationwide point of contact for network development and for regional coordination of alerts on abducted children through the network.
Directs the Coordinator to: (1) notify and consult with the Federal Bureau of Investigation concerning each child abduction for which an AMBER Alert is issued; and (2) 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).
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.
Directs the Attorney General to provide grants to States for the development or enhancement of programs and activities for the support of AMBER Alert communications plans.
action_date: 2003-01-21
text: National AMBER Alert Network Act of 2003 - (Sec. 2) Requires the Attorney General to assign an AMBER Alert Coordinator of the Department of Justice to act as the national coordinator of the AMBER Alert communications network regarding abducted children. 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; and (3) act as the nationwide point of contact for network development and for regional coordination of alerts on abducted children through the network. Directs the Coordinator to notify and consult with the Federal Bureau of Investigation concerning each child abduction for which an AMBER Alert is issued.
(Sec. 3) Directs the Coordinator to 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). Provides that the standards shall be adoptable on a voluntary basis only.
Requires the Coordinator to cooperate with the Secretary of Transportation and the Federal Communications Commission in carrying out such activities.
(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. Limits the Federal cost share to 50 percent. Directs the Secretary to ensure grant distribution on an equitable basis throughout the various regions of the United States. Authorizes appropriations.
(Sec. 5) Directs the Attorney General to provide grants to States for the development or enhancement of programs and activities for the support of AMBER Alert communications plans, which may include the development and implementation of: (1) education and training programs and associated materials; and (2) law enforcement programs and associated equipment. Limits the Federal cost share to 50 percent. Directs the Secretary to ensure grant distribution on an equitable basis throughout the various regions of the United States. Authorizes appropriations.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-04-02
text: Motion to Discharge Committee filed by Mr. Frost. Petition No: 108-1. (<a href="http://clerk.house.gov/108/lrc/pd/Petitions/Dis1.htm">Discharge petition</a> text with signatures.)
action_date: 2003-03-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2003-01-27
text: 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.
action_date: 2003-01-27
text: 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.
action_date: 2003-01-27
text: 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.
action_date: 2003-01-27
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2003-01-27
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2003-01-27
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2003-01-21
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 92 - 0. Record Vote Number: 9. (text: CR S1237)
action_date: 2003-01-21
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 92 - 0. Record Vote Number: 9.(text: CR S1237)
action_date: 2003-01-21
text: Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1234-1237)
action_date: 2003-01-21
text: Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S1234-1237)
action_date: 2003-01-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2003-01-09
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S155-156)
action_date: 2003-01-09
text: Introduced in Senate