WASHINGTON – Legislation aimed at improving how information on missing persons cases is coordinated passed recently in the US House of Representatives.
The Help Find the Missing Act, also known as “Billy’s Law,” has its origins in a Cheshire case. The legislation, led by Congresswoman Jahana Hayes, passed 422 to 4. The bill supports efforts to solve missing persons cases by closing the gaps in law enforcement databases through improved coordination across federal, state, local, and non-profit agencies.
According to a press release from Hayes’ office, each year, tens of thousands of Americans go missing “leaving loved ones to navigate a complicated system, often without answers. Unlike with missing children, federal law does not mandate law enforcement to report missing adults or unidentified bodies.”
The companion bill, sponsored by Senator Chris Murphy, and cosponsored by John Cornyn (R-Texas), Richard Blumenthal, John Hoeven (RN.D.), and Thom Tillis (RN.C.), previously passed under unanimous consent in the senates. Billy’s Law now heads to President Joe Biden.
Billy’s Law was inspired by Janice Smolinski of Cheshire, after her 31-year-old son, Billy, went missing in Waterbury. While working with law enforcement to locate her missing son, Smolinski was met with systemic challenges. This legislation was introduced to curb those obstacles by streamlining the missing persons reporting process.
“Each year, nearly half a million people go missing and, tragically, many of them will never see their loved ones again. Yet, over 40,000 sets of unidentified human remains are either held at coroners’ offices or disposed of after going unclaimed. Due to gaps in databases, missing persons and unidentified remains are rarely matched,” Hayes said in a press statement. “Billy’s Law will strengthen cross communication among agency databases and provide guidance for local law enforcement agencies, medical examiners, and coroners on how to best handle missing persons cases. No family should have to face a complicated and disjointed system in order to find their loved one. This legislation will help bring home the missing and offer closure to the families of those who will never return home.”
Specifically, the Help Find the Missing Act would:
• Direct the US Department of Justice to continue to operate the National Missing Persons and Unidentified Persons System, providing a missing persons/unidentified remains database to which the public can contribute and access;
• Connect NamUs with the FBI’s National Crime Information Center in order to create more comprehensive missing persons and unidentified remains databases and streamlining the reporting process for local law enforcement;
• Expand current law by requiring missing children to be reported to NamUs (they already must be reported to NCIC); other
•Require DOJ to issue guidelines and best practices on handling missing persons and unidentified remains cases in order to empower law enforcement, medical examiners and coroners to help find the missing.
Endorsing organizations include: the Consortium of Forensic Science Organizations, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, American Society of Crime Lab Directors, National Association of Medical Examiners, National Association of Police Organizations, International Association of Identification, Society of Forensic Toxicologists, American Board of Forensic Toxicologists, Fraternal Order of Police, National Association of Medical Examiners, The Doe Network, and LostNMissing.