An act to encourage, enhance, and integrate Ashanti Alert plans throughout the United States, and for other purposes
PL 115-401 (H.R.5075), enacted 12/31/2018

132 STAT. 5336 
PUBLIC LAW 115–401—DEC. 31, 2018 
Public Law 115–401 
115th Congress 
An Act 
To encourage, enhance, and integrate Ashanti Alert plans throughout the United 
States, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Ashanti Alert Act of 2018’’. 
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF ASHANTI ALERT COMMUNICATIONS NET-
WORK. 
Kristen’s Act (Public Law 106–468; 114 Stat. 2027) is 
amended— 
(1) by inserting before section 2 (34 U.S.C. 40504) the 
following: 
‘‘TITLE I—GRANTS’’; 
(2) by redesignating sections 2 (34 U.S.C. 40504) and 3 
(34 U.S.C. 40504 note) as sections 101 and 102, respectively; 
(3) in section 101(b), as so redesignated, by striking ‘‘this 
Act’’ and inserting ‘‘this title’’; 
(4) in section 102, as so redesignated, by striking ‘‘this 
Act’’ and inserting ‘‘this title’’; and 
(5) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘TITLE II—ASHANTI ALERT 
COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK 
‘‘SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS. 
‘‘In this title: 
‘‘(1) AMBER ALERT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK.—The term 
‘AMBER Alert communications network’ means the AMBER 
Alert communications network established under subtitle A 
of title III of the PROTECT Act (34 U.S.C. 20501 et seq.). 
‘‘(2) ASHANTI ALERT.—The term ‘Ashanti Alert’ means an 
alert issued through the Ashanti Alert communications net-
work, related to a missing adult. 
‘‘(3) ASHANTI ALERT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK.—The term 
‘Ashanti Alert communications network’ means the national 
communications network established by the Attorney General 
under section 202(a). 
34 USC 21901. 
Ashanti Alert Act 
of 2018. 
34 USC 10101 
note. 
Dec. 31, 2018 
[H.R. 5075] 
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132 STAT. 5337 
PUBLIC LAW 115–401—DEC. 31, 2018 
‘‘(4) ASHANTI ALERT COORDINATOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 
JUSTICE; COORDINATOR.—The term ‘Ashanti Alert Coordinator 
of the Department of Justice’ or ‘Coordinator’ means the 
employee designated by the Attorney General to act as the 
national coordinator of the Ashanti Alert communications net-
work under section 203(a). 
‘‘(5) ASHANTI ALERT PLAN.—The term ‘Ashanti Alert plan’ 
means a local element of the Ashanti Alert communications 
network. 
‘‘(6) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘Indian Tribe’ means a feder-
ally recognized Indian Tribe or a Native village, Regional Cor-
poration, or Village Corporation (as those terms are defined 
in section 3 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 
U.S.C. 1602)). 
‘‘(7) MISSING ADULT.—The term ‘missing adult’ means an 
individual who— 
‘‘(A) is older than the age for which an alert may 
be issued through the AMBER Alert communications net-
work in the State or territory of an Indian Tribe in which 
the individual is identified as a missing individual; 
‘‘(B) is identified by a law enforcement agency as a 
missing individual; and 
‘‘(C) meets the requirements to be designated as a 
missing adult, as determined by the State in which, or 
the Indian Tribe in the territory of which, the individual 
is identified as a missing individual. 
‘‘(8) STATE.—The term ‘State’ means each of the 50 States, 
the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, 
and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 
‘‘SEC. 202. ASHANTI ALERT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Attorney General shall, subject to the 
availability of appropriations, establish a national communications 
network within the Office of Justice Programs of the Department 
of Justice to provide assistance to regional and local search efforts 
for missing adults through the initiation, facilitation, and promotion 
of local elements of the network, in coordination with States, Indian 
Tribes, units of local government, law enforcement agencies, and 
other concerned entities with expertise in providing services to 
adults. 
‘‘(b) INTEGRATION
WITH
EXISTING
COMMUNICATIONS
NET-
WORK.—In establishing the Ashanti Alert communications network 
under subsection (a), the Attorney General shall coordinate, when 
advisable, with missing person alert systems in existence as of 
the date of enactment of this title, such as the AMBER Alert 
communications network and Silver Alert communications net-
works. 
‘‘SEC. 203. ASHANTI ALERT COORDINATOR. 
‘‘(a) NATIONAL COORDINATOR WITHIN DEPARTMENT
OF JUS-
TICE.—The Attorney General shall designate an employee of the 
Office of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice to act 
as the national coordinator of the Ashanti Alert communications 
network. 
‘‘(b) DUTIES OF THE COORDINATOR.—In acting as the national 
coordinator of the Ashanti Alert communications network, the 
Coordinator shall— 
Designation. 
34 USC 21903. 
Coordination. 
34 USC 21902. 
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132 STAT. 5338 
PUBLIC LAW 115–401—DEC. 31, 2018 
‘‘(1) work with States and Indian Tribes to encourage the 
development of additional Ashanti Alert plans in the network; 
‘‘(2) establish voluntary guidelines for States and Indian 
Tribes to use in developing Ashanti Alert plans that will pro-
mote compatible and integrated Ashanti Alert plans throughout 
the United States, including— 
‘‘(A) a list of the resources necessary to establish an 
Ashanti Alert plan; 
‘‘(B) criteria for evaluating whether a situation war-
rants issuing an Ashanti Alert, taking into consideration 
the need for the use of Ashanti Alerts to be limited in 
scope because the effectiveness of the Ashanti Alert commu-
nications network may be affected by overuse, including 
criteria to determine— 
‘‘(i) whether the mental capacity of an adult who 
is missing, and the circumstances of his or her dis-
appearance, including any history of domestic violence, 
sexual assault, child abuse, or human trafficking, war-
rant the issuance of an Ashanti Alert; and 
‘‘(ii) whether the individual who reports that an 
adult is missing is an appropriate and credible source 
on which to base the issuance of an Ashanti Alert; 
‘‘(C) a description of the appropriate uses of the Ashanti 
Alert name to readily identify the nature of search efforts 
for missing adults; and 
‘‘(D) recommendations on how to protect the privacy, 
dignity, independence, autonomy, and safety of any missing 
adult who may be the subject of an Ashanti Alert; 
‘‘(3) develop proposed protocols for efforts to recover missing 
adults and to reduce the number of adults who are reported 
missing, including protocols for procedures that are needed 
from the time of initial notification of a law enforcement agency 
that the adult is missing through the time of the return of 
the adult to family, guardian, or domicile, as appropriate, 
including— 
‘‘(A) public safety communications protocol; 
‘‘(B) case management protocol; 
‘‘(C) command center operations; 
‘‘(D) reunification protocol; 
‘‘(E) incident review, evaluation, debriefing, and public 
information procedures; and 
‘‘(F) protocols for declining to issue an Ashanti Alert; 
‘‘(4) work with States and Indian Tribes to ensure appro-
priate regional coordination of various elements of the network; 
‘‘(5) establish an advisory group to assist States, Indian 
Tribes, units of local government, law enforcement agencies, 
and other entities involved in the Ashanti Alert communications 
network with initiating, facilitating, and promoting Ashanti 
Alert plans, which shall include— 
‘‘(A) to the maximum extent practicable, representation 
from the various geographic regions of the United States; 
and 
‘‘(B) members who are— 
‘‘(i) representatives of adult citizen advocacy 
groups, law enforcement agencies, victim service pro-
viders (as defined in section 40002(a) of the Violence 
Coordination. 
Protocols. 
Procedures. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
Criteria. 
Lists. 
Guidelines. 
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132 STAT. 5339 
PUBLIC LAW 115–401—DEC. 31, 2018 
Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(a)), and 
public safety communications; 
‘‘(ii) broadcasters, first responders, dispatchers, 
and radio station personnel; and 
‘‘(iii) representatives of any other individuals or 
organizations that the Coordinator determines are nec-
essary to the success of the Ashanti Alert communica-
tions network; and 
‘‘(6) act as the nationwide point of contact for— 
‘‘(A) the development of the network; and 
‘‘(B) regional coordination of alerts for missing adults 
through the network. 
‘‘(c) COORDINATION.— 
‘‘(1) COORDINATION
WITH
OTHER
AGENCIES.—The Coordi-
nator shall coordinate and consult with the Secretary of 
Transportation, the Federal Communications Commission, the 
Assistant Secretary for Aging of the Department of Health 
and Human Services, and other appropriate offices of the 
Department of Justice, including the Office on Violence Against 
Women, in carrying out activities under this title. 
‘‘(2) STATE, TRIBAL, AND LOCAL COORDINATION.—The Coordi-
nator shall consult with local broadcasters and State, Tribal, 
and local law enforcement agencies in establishing minimum 
standards under section 204 and in carrying out other activities 
under this title, as appropriate. 
‘‘(d) ANNUAL REPORTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this title, and annually thereafter, the Coordi-
nator shall submit to Congress a report on— 
‘‘(A) the activities of the Coordinator; and 
‘‘(B) the effectiveness and status of the Ashanti Alert 
plan of each State or Indian Tribe that has established 
or is in the process of establishing such a plan. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—Each report under paragraph (1) shall 
include— 
‘‘(A) a list of each State or Indian Tribe that has 
established an Ashanti Alert plan; 
‘‘(B) a list of each State or Indian Tribe that is in 
the process of establishing an Ashanti Alert plan; 
‘‘(C) for each State or Indian Tribe that has established 
an Ashanti Alert plan, to the extent the data is available— 
‘‘(i) the number of Ashanti Alerts issued; 
‘‘(ii) the number of missing adults located success-
fully; 
‘‘(iii) the average period of time between the 
issuance of an Ashanti Alert and the location of the 
missing adult for whom the Alert was issued; 
‘‘(iv) the State or Tribal agency or authority issuing 
Ashanti Alerts, and the process by which Ashanti 
Alerts are disseminated; 
‘‘(v) the cost of establishing and operating the 
Ashanti Alert plan; 
‘‘(vi) the criteria used by the State or Indian Tribe 
to determine whether to issue an Ashanti Alert; and 
‘‘(vii) the extent to which missing adults for whom 
Ashanti Alerts were issued crossed State lines or terri-
torial borders of an Indian Tribe; 
Lists. 
Lists. 
Consultation. 
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132 STAT. 5340 
PUBLIC LAW 115–401—DEC. 31, 2018 
‘‘(D) actions States and Indian Tribes have taken to 
protect the privacy and dignity of the missing adults for 
whom Ashanti Alerts are issued; 
‘‘(E) ways that States and Indian Tribes have facili-
tated and improved communication about missing adults 
between families, caregivers, law enforcement officials, and 
other authorities; and 
‘‘(F) any other information the Coordinator determines 
to be appropriate. 
‘‘SEC. 204. MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR ISSUANCE AND DISSEMINATION 
OF ALERTS THROUGH ASHANTI ALERT COMMUNICATIONS 
NETWORK. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF MINIMUM STANDARDS.—Subject to sub-
section (b), the Coordinator shall establish minimum standards 
for— 
‘‘(1) the issuance of alerts through the Ashanti Alert 
communications network; and 
‘‘(2) the extent of the dissemination of alerts issued through 
the Ashanti Alert communications network. 
‘‘(b) LIMITATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) DISSEMINATION
OF
INFORMATION.—The minimum 
standards established under subsection (a) shall, to the max-
imum extent practicable (as determined by the Coordinator 
in consultation with State, Tribal, and local law enforcement 
agencies), provide for the dissemination of appropriate informa-
tion relating to the special needs of a missing adult (including 
health care needs) to the appropriate law enforcement, public 
health, and other public officials. 
‘‘(2) GEOGRAPHIC AREAS.—The minimum standards estab-
lished under subsection (a) shall, to the maximum extent prac-
ticable (as determined by the Coordinator in consultation with 
State, Tribal, and local law enforcement agencies), provide that 
the dissemination of an alert through the Ashanti Alert commu-
nications network shall be limited to the geographic areas 
that the missing adult could reasonably reach, considering— 
‘‘(A) the circumstances and physical and mental condi-
tion of the missing adult; 
‘‘(B) the modes of transportation available to the 
missing adult; and 
‘‘(C) the circumstances of the disappearance. 
‘‘(3) OTHER
REQUIREMENTS.—The minimum standards 
established under subsection (a) shall require that, in order 
for an Ashanti Alert to be issued for a missing adult, the 
missing adult— 
‘‘(A) suffers from a proven mental or physical disability, 
as documented by a source determined credible by an 
appropriate law enforcement agency; or 
‘‘(B) be missing under circumstances that indicate, as 
determined by an appropriate law enforcement agency— 
‘‘(i) that the physical safety of the missing adult 
may be endangered; or 
‘‘(ii) that the disappearance of the missing adult 
may not have been voluntary, including an abduction 
or kidnapping. 
Determination. 
Consultation. 
Determination. 
Consultation. 
34 USC 21904. 
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132 STAT. 5341 
PUBLIC LAW 115–401—DEC. 31, 2018 
‘‘(4) SAFETY, PRIVACY, AND CIVIL LIBERTIES PROTECTIONS.— 
The minimum standards established under subsection (a) 
shall— 
‘‘(A) ensure that alerts issued through the Ashanti 
Alert communications network comply with all applicable 
Federal, State, Tribal, and local privacy laws and regula-
tions; 
‘‘(B) include standards that specifically provide for the 
protection of the civil liberties and sensitive medical 
information of missing adults; and 
‘‘(C) include standards requiring, as appropriate, a 
review of relevant court records, prior contacts with law 
enforcement, and other information relevant to the missing 
adult or the individual reporting, in order to provide protec-
tions against domestic violence. 
‘‘(5) STATE, TRIBAL, AND LOCAL VOLUNTARY COORDINATION.— 
In establishing minimum standards under subsection (a), the 
Coordinator may not interfere with the system of voluntary 
coordination between local broadcasters and State, Tribal, and 
local law enforcement agencies for purposes of regional and 
local search efforts for missing adults that was in effect on 
the day before the date of enactment of this title. 
‘‘SEC. 205. VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION. 
‘‘The minimum standards established under section 204(a), and 
any other guidelines and programs established under section 203, 
shall be adoptable on a voluntary basis only. 
‘‘SEC. 206. TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. 
‘‘The Coordinator shall make available to States, Indian Tribes, 
units of local government, law enforcement agencies, and other 
concerned entities that are involved in initiating, facilitating, or 
promoting Ashanti Alert plans, including broadcasters, first 
responders, dispatchers, public safety communications personnel, 
and radio station personnel— 
‘‘(1) training and educational programs related to the 
Ashanti Alert communications network and the capabilities, 
limitations, and anticipated behaviors of missing adults, which 
the Coordinator shall update regularly to encourage the use 
of new tools, technologies, and resources in Ashanti Alert plans; 
and 
‘‘(2) informational materials, including brochures, videos, 
posters, and websites to support and supplement the training 
and educational programs described in paragraph (1). 
‘‘SEC. 207. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
‘‘There is authorized to be appropriated to the Attorney General 
$3,000,000 to carry out the Ashanti Alert communications network 
as authorized under this title for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
2022.’’. 
34 USC 21907. 
34 USC 21906. 
34 USC 21905. 
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132 STAT. 5342 
PUBLIC LAW 115–401—DEC. 31, 2018 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 5075: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 164 (2018): 
Sept. 25, considered and passed House. 
Dec. 6, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Dec. 20, House concurred in Senate amendment. 
SEC. 3. EMERGENCY FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE. 
Section 609Y(a) of the Justice Assistance Act of 1984 (34 U.S.C. 
50112(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘September 30, 2021’’ and 
inserting ‘‘September 30, 2022’’. 
Approved December 31, 2018. 
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