Billy's Law
Dec 27, 2022
Statute: 136 Stat. 4454
Became law: Dec 27, 2022
Dec 27, 2022
Statute: 136 Stat. 4454
Became law: Dec 27, 2022
Summary
Makes it easier to find missing people by connecting two important government databases, helping police and families share information more quickly.
What problem does this solve?
Information about missing people was kept in separate government databases that did not share information, making it hard to solve cases. This law connects the databases so they can automatically share information, helping law enforcement and families work together better.
What does this law do?
Connects two national missing persons databases
Requires the Attorney General to ensure the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database automatically shares data with the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs).
Authorizes the NamUs system
Formally directs the Attorney General to maintain the NamUs system as a national resource for missing, unidentified, and unclaimed person cases.
Requires missing children to be reported to NamUs
Amends the Crime Control Act of 1990 to require that reports of missing children are sent to the NamUs database, in addition to the NCIC database.
Provides free forensic services
Allows NamUs to offer free services like DNA testing, dental record analysis, and fingerprint examination to help identify missing persons and unidentified remains.
Establishes rules to protect private information
Directs the Attorney General to create rules that protect confidential and sensitive law enforcement information when it is shared between the NCIC and NamUs databases.
Who does this affect?
- Families of missing persons
- Law enforcement agencies
- Forensic medicine service providers
What is the real world impact?
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Helps solve cold cases
Connects two major databases, the public-facing NamUs and the law enforcement NCIC, to automatically share information. This helps police connect the dots on old or difficult cases involving missing persons and unidentified remains, bringing closure to families.
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Creates a single source for information
Requires that information about missing persons, especially children, be reported to both the NCIC and NamUs databases. This ensures that crucial case information is available to both law enforcement and the public through a more unified system.
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Raises privacy concerns
Mandates sharing information between a law enforcement database (NCIC) and a more public one (NamUs). While the law requires rules to protect private data, some may worry about how sensitive information about victims and their families is stored and accessed.
When does this start?
This law sets several deadlines over the next year for connecting government databases and creating new rules.
Plan for data sharing
Within 6 months of the law's passage, the Attorney General must create a plan for automatically sharing data between the NCIC and NamUs systems.
Access to NCIC database
Within 1 year, the Attorney General must give the NamUs program access to the NCIC missing and unidentified person files.
Rules on confidentiality
Within 1 year, the Attorney General must create rules to protect private and sensitive information shared between the databases.
Report on best practices
Within 1 year, the Attorney General must issue a report to law enforcement agencies describing the best practices for handling missing persons data.