United States 116th Congress ✓ Enacted · P.L. 116-277 Bipartisan · 2 R · 2 D cosponsors

S 2174 — Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains Act of 2019

Last action — Became Public Law No: 116-277.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced July 18, 2019. Enacted.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 74% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 4 sponsors

    1 primary, 3 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (2 R · 2 D) — cross-party backing.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Summary

Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains Act of 2019 This bill revises the authority for state grants to improve the reporting of unidentified and missing persons. The bill authorizes grants to be used for additional activities. In particular, grants may be used to improve the transportation, processing, and identification of missing persons and unidentified remains, including with respect to migrants. Further, the bill expands eligible entities to include local governments, medical examiners' offices, certain accredited and publicly funded laboratories, and certain nonprofit organizations. In addition, the bill expands the allowable uses of grant funds to include costs related to transportation, hiring, and procuring forensic equipment. The bill requires any DNA reference sample that is received from a suspected biological family member and uploaded into the Combined DNA Index System to be used only for identifying missing persons and unidentified remains. Next, the bill requires the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to purchase, deploy, and maintain no more than 170 rescue beacons along the southern border to mitigate migrant deaths. The bill also requires the CBP, the Department of Justice, and the Government Accountability Office to submit specified reports to Congress.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

114 added · 118 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment updates the language in the bill to specify that grants can be awarded to "applicant" entities rather than limiting eligibility to just "State" entities. It also changes a provision related to reporting requirements to the National Crime Information Center. These changes expand the potential range of organizations that could receive funding and clarify the obligations for reporting, which may improve the effectiveness of programs addressing missing persons and unidentified remains.

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[Congressional Bills 116th Congress] [From the U.S.
[116th Congress Public Law 277] [From the U.S.
Government Publishing Office] [S.
Government Publishing Office] [[Page 3367]] MISSING PERSONS AND UNIDENTIFIED REMAINS ACT OF 2019 [[Page 134 STAT.
2174 Engrossed Amendment House (EAH)] <DOC> In the House of Representatives, U.
3368]] Public Law 116-277 116th Congress An Act To the extent provided in advance in appropriations Act, the Attorney General is authorized to use funds appropriated for the operationalization, maintenance, and expansion of the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) for the purpose of carrying out this Act.
S., December 16, 2020.
<<NOTE:
Resolved, That the bill from the Senate (S.
Dec.
2174) entitled ``An Act to expand the grants authorized under Jennifer's Law and Kristen's Act to include processing of unidentified remains, resolving missing persons cases, and for other purposes.'', do pass with the following AMENDMENTS:
31, 2020 - [S.
Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:
2174]>> Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE:
SECTION 1.
Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains Act of 2019.>> SECTION 1.
SHORT TITLE.
<<NOTE:
34 USC 10101 note.>> SHORT TITLE.
PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.
<<NOTE:
34 USC 40501.>> PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.
``(G) Nonprofit organizations that have working collaborative agreements with State and county forensic offices, including medical examiners, coroners, and justices of the peace, for entry of data into CODIS or the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (commonly known as `NamUs'), or both.'';
``(G) Nonprofit organizations that have working collaborative agreements with State and county forensic offices, including medical examiners, coroners, and justices of the peace, for entry of data into CODIS or the National Missing [[Page 134 STAT.
3369]] and Unidentified Persons System (commonly known as `NamUs'), or both.'';
``(1) report to the National Crime Information Center and, when possible, to law enforcement authorities throughout the applicant's jurisdiction regarding every deceased unidentified person, regardless of age, found in the applicant's jurisdiction;'';
``(1) <<NOTE:
Reports.>> report to the National Crime Information Center and, when possible, to law enforcement authorities throughout the applicant's jurisdiction regarding every deceased unidentified person, regardless of age, found in the applicant's jurisdiction;'';
``(5) collect and report information to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) regarding missing persons and unidentified remains.'';
``(5) <<NOTE:
Reports.>> collect and report information to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) regarding missing persons and unidentified remains.'';
USE OF FUNDS.
<<NOTE:
``An applicant receiving a grant award under this title may use such funds to-- ``(1) pay for the costs incurred during or after fiscal year 2017 for the transportation, processing, identification, and reporting of missing persons and unidentified remains, including migrants;
34 USC 40503.>> USE OF FUNDS.
``An applicant receiving a grant award under this title may use such funds to-- ``(1) pay for the costs incurred during or after fiscal year for the transportation, processing, identification, and reporting of missing persons and unidentified remains, including migrants;
and ``(4) procure and maintain state of the art multi-modal, multi-purpose forensic and DNA-typing and analytical equipment.''.
and [[Page 134 STAT.
3370]] ``(4) procure and maintain state of the art multi-modal, multi-purpose forensic and DNA-typing and analytical equipment.''.
``(3) Rescue beacons.--Beginning in fiscal year 2019, in carrying out subsection (c)(8), the Commissioner shall purchase, deploy, and maintain not more than 170 self-powering, 9-1-1 cellular relay rescue beacons along the southern border of the United States at locations determined appropriate by the Commissioner to mitigate migrant deaths.''.
``(3) Rescue beacons.
<<NOTE:
Effective date.>> --Beginning in fiscal year 2019, in carrying out subsection (c)(8), the Commissioner shall purchase, deploy, and maintain not more than self-powering, 9-1-1 cellular relay rescue beacons along the southern border of the United States at locations determined appropriate by the Commissioner to mitigate migrant deaths.''.
REPORTING ON NATIONAL MISSING AND UNIDENTIFIED PERSONS SYSTEM (NAMUS) PROGRAM.
<<NOTE:
34 USC 40505.>> REPORTING ON NATIONAL MISSING AND UNIDENTIFIED PERSONS SYSTEM (NAMUS) PROGRAM.
OTHER REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
<<NOTE:
6 USC 224.>> OTHER REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
Customs and Border Protection, the total number of deceased people whose unidentified remains were discovered by Federal, State, local or Tribal law enforcement officers, military personnel, or medical examiners offices;
Customs and Border Protection, the total number of [[Page 134 STAT.
3371]] deceased people whose unidentified remains were discovered by Federal, State, local or Tribal law enforcement officers, military personnel, or medical examiners offices;
(2) Public disclosure.--Not later than 30 days after each report required under paragraph (1) is submitted, the Commissioner of U.S.
(2) <<NOTE:
Web posting.>> Public disclosure.--Not later than 30 days after each report required under paragraph (1) is submitted, the Commissioner of U.S.
(b) Rescue Beacons.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of U.S.
(b) <<NOTE:
Mexico.>> Rescue Beacons.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of U.S.
and (5) an assessment, in consultation with local stakeholders, including elected officials, nongovernmental organizations, and landowners, of necessary additional rescue beacons and recommendations for locations for deployment to reduce migrant deaths.
and (5) <<NOTE:
Assessment.
Consultation.>> an assessment, in consultation with local stakeholders, including elected officials, nongovernmental organizations, and landowners, of necessary additional rescue beacons and recommendations for locations for deployment to reduce migrant deaths.
(4) how U.S.
[[Page 134 STAT.
Show all 53 changed rows (13 more)
Previous
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3372]] (4) how U.S.
Amend the title so as to read:
Approved December 31, 2020.
``An Act to the extent provided in advance in appropriations Act, the Attorney General is authorized to use funds appropriated for the operationalization, maintenance, and expansion of the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) for the purpose of carrying out this Act.''.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S.
Attest:
2174:
Clerk.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol.
116th CONGRESS 2d Session S.
166 (2020):
2174 _______________________________________________________________________ AMENDMENTS
Nov.
16, considered and passed Senate.
Dec.
16, considered and passed House, amended.
Dec.
18, Senate concurred in House amendments.
<all>
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How this bill changes current law

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Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill modifies existing grant management provisions for missing persons and unidentified remains, clarifying eligible entities and updating certain procedural requirements.

  • 34 U.S.C. 40501

    section 202 (34 U.S.C. 40501) → SEC. 202. <<NOTE: 34 USC 40501.>> PROGRAM AUTHORIZED. (a) In General.-- (1) Grants authorized.--The Attorney General may award grants to eligible entities described in paragraph (2) to enable the eligible entities to improve the transportation, processing, identification, and reporting of missing persons and unidentified remains, including migrants. (2) Eligible entities.--Eligible entities described in this paragraph are the following: (A) States and units of local government. (B) Accredited, publicly funded, Combined DNA Index System (commonly known as 'CODIS') forensic laboratories, which demonstrate the grant funds will be used for DNA typing and uploading biological family DNA reference samples, including samples from foreign nationals, into CODIS, subject to the protocols for inclusion of such forensic DNA profiles into CODIS, and the privacy protections required under section 203(c). (C) Medical examiners offices. (D) Accredited, publicly funded toxicology laboratories. (E) Accredited, publicly funded crime laboratories. (F) Publicly funded university forensic anthropology laboratories. (G) Nonprofit organizations that have working collaborative agreements with State and county forensic offices, including medical examiners, coroners, and justices of the peace, for entry of data into CODIS or the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (commonly known as 'NamUs'), or both.

    This change updates the definition of eligible entities that can receive grants under the program.

  • 34 U.S.C. 40502

    a State → an entity described in section 202

    This change broadens the types of entities eligible to apply for grant awards.

  • 34 U.S.C. 40502

    State → applicant

    This change standardizes terminology to include all applicants for grants.

  • 34 U.S.C. 40502

    paragraph (1) → paragraph (1) report to the National Crime Information Center and, when possible, to law enforcement authorities throughout the applicant's jurisdiction regarding every deceased unidentified person, regardless of age, found in the applicant's jurisdiction;

    This change modifies the reporting requirements for applicants regarding unidentified persons.

  • 34 U.S.C. 40502

    and → and 5) collect and report information to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) regarding missing persons and unidentified remains.

    This change adds additional reporting requirements for grant recipients.

  • 34 U.S.C. 40503

    section 204 (34 U.S.C. 40503) → SEC. 205. <<NOTE: 34 USC 40503.>> USE OF FUNDS. An applicant receiving a grant award under this title may use such funds to-- (1) pay for the costs incurred during or after fiscal year 2017 for the transportation, processing, identification, and reporting of missing persons and unidentified remains, including migrants; (2) establish and expand programs developed to improve the reporting of unidentified persons in accordance with the assurances provided in the application submitted pursuant to section 203(b); (3) hire and maintain additional DNA case analysts and technicians, fingerprint examiners, forensic odontologists, and forensic anthropologists, needed to support such identification programs; (4) procure and maintain state of the art multi-modal, multi-purpose forensic and DNA-typing and analytical equipment.

    This change reorganizes the sections regarding the use of grant funds.

Action History

  1. Signed by President.

  2. Signed by President.

  3. Became Public Law No: 116-277.

  4. Became Public Law No: 116-277.

  5. Presented to President.

  6. Presented to President.

  7. Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  8. Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendments to S. 2174 by Unanimous Consent.

  9. Senate agreed to the House amendments to S. 2174 by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7828)

  10. Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendments to Senate bill.

  11. Ms. Scanlon moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  12. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7217-7219)

  13. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2174.

  14. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H7217-7218)

  15. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7217-7218)

  16. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  17. The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

  18. Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  19. Received in the House.

  20. Held at the desk.

  21. Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.

  22. Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.

  23. Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S6714-6715)

  24. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S6714-6715)

  25. Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S6714-6715)

  26. Introduced in Senate

  27. Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 3 co-sponsors · 543 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (3)

Not signed on (543)

543 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 543 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

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public-safety
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Frequently asked questions

What does S 2174 do?
Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains Act of 2019 This bill revises the authority for state grants to improve the reporting of unidentified and missing persons. The bill authorizes grants to be used for additional activities. In particular, grants may be used to improve the transportation, processing, and identification of missing persons and unidentified remains, including with respect to migrants. Further, the bill expands eligible entities to include local governments, medical examiners' offices, certain accredited and publicly funded laboratories, and certain nonprofit organizations. In addition, the bill expands the allowable uses of grant funds to include costs related to transportation, hiring, and procuring forensic equipment. The bill requires any DNA reference sample that is received from a suspected biological family member and uploaded into the Combined DNA Index System to be used only for identifying missing persons and unidentified remains. Next, the bill requires the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to purchase, deploy, and maintain no more than 170 rescue beacons along the southern border to mitigate migrant deaths. The bill also requires the CBP, the Department of Justice, and the Government Accountability Office to submit specified reports to Congress.
Who sponsors S 2174?
S 2174 is sponsored by Harris, Kamala D. (Democratic), Tillis, Thomas (Republican), Udall, Tom (Democratic), and Cornyn, John (Republican).
What is the current status of S 2174?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced July 18, 2019. Enacted.
Where can I track S 2174?
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