Bill Summary: Improving Support for Missing and Exploited Children Act of 2017

This bill aims to amend and improve the Missing Children's Assistance Act. It makes changes to various sections of the act, including findings, definitions, duties and functions of the administrator, grants, and reporting requirements.

Section 1: Short Title

This section states that the bill may be cited as the "Improving Support for Missing and Exploited Children Act of 2017".

Section 2: Findings

This section amends Section 402 of the Missing Children's Assistance Act. It highlights the fact that tens of thousands of children run away, are abducted or removed from their parent's custody without consent, which puts them in immediate danger. It also expands the scope of exploitation to include child sex trafficking and sextortion.

Section 3: Definitions

This section amends Section 403 of the Missing Children's Assistance Act to redefine the term "parent" to include legal guardians and other individuals responsible for the welfare of the child.

Section 4: Duties and Functions of the Administrator

This section amends Section 404 of the Missing Children's Assistance Act to outline the duties and functions of the administrator. It includes providing assistance, training, and technical support to various entities involved in preventing, investigating, and responding to cases of missing and exploited children. It also involves coordinating with other agencies and organizations to transmit information regarding missing and exploited children to law enforcement and other relevant parties.

Section 5: Grants

This section amends Section 405 of the Missing Children's Assistance Act to update certain requirements for receiving grants, including the reporting of the number of missing children, victims of abduction, and recovered missing children.

Section 6: Reporting

This section adds a new section to the Missing Children's Assistance Act (Section 407) that requires grant recipients to annually report the number of missing children, victims of abduction, and recovered missing children. It also requires tracking the incidence of attempted child abductions and providing this information to law enforcement and the general public.

This bill was passed by the House of Representatives on May 23, 2017.

Rep. Todd Rokita

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