Sec. 4. EMA Network coordinator

688 words·~3 min read·/bill/115/s/2211/is/section-4

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

The Attorney General shall designate an individual of the Department of Justice to act as the national coordinator of the EMA Network. The individual so designated shall be known as the EMA Network Coordinator of the Department of Justice. In acting as the national coordinator of the EMA Network, the Coordinator shall— work with States to encourage the development of additional EMA plans in the network; establish voluntary guidelines for States to use in developing EMA plans that will promote compatible and integrated EMA plans throughout the United States, including— a list of the resources necessary to establish an EMA plan; criteria for evaluating whether a situation warrants issuing an endangered missing advisory, taking into consideration both the need for immediate community notification and the need for the use of such advisories to be limited in scope because the effectiveness of the EMA Network may be affected by overuse, including criteria to determine— whether the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of an individual warrant the issuance of an endangered missing advisory; and whether the individual who reports that an individual is missing is an appropriate and credible source on which to base the issuance of an endangered missing advisory; a description of the appropriate uses of the EMA Network name to readily identify the nature of search efforts for missing individuals; and recommendations on how to protect the privacy, dignity, independence, and autonomy of any missing individual who may be the subject of an endangered missing advisory; work with States to ensure appropriate regional coordination of various elements of the network; establish an advisory group to assist States, units of local government, law enforcement agencies, and other entities involved in the EMA Network with initiating, facilitating, and promoting EMA plans, which shall include— to the maximum extent practicable, representation from the various geographic regions of the United States; and members who are— representatives of missing individual advocacy groups, law enforcement agencies, and public safety communications; broadcasters, first responders, dispatchers, and radio station personnel; and representatives of any other individuals or organizations that the Coordinator determines are necessary to the success of the EMA Network; and act as the nationwide point of contact for— the development of the network; and regional coordination of alerts for missing individuals through the network.

The Coordinator shall coordinate and consult with the Secretary of Transportation, the Federal Communications Commission, and other appropriate offices of the Department of Justice in carrying out activities under this Act. The Coordinator shall consult with local broadcasters and State and local law enforcement agencies in establishing minimum standards under section 5 and in carrying out other activities under this Act, as appropriate. Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Coordinator shall submit to Congress a report on the activities of the Coordinator and the effectiveness and status of the EMA plans of each State that has established or is in the process of establishing EMA plans.

Each report submitted under paragraph

(2)shall include— a list of States that have established EMA plans; a list of States that are in the process of establishing EMA plans; for each State that has established EMA plans, to the extent the data is available— the number of endangered missing advisories issued; the number of individuals located successfully; the average period of time between the issuance of an endangered missing advisory and the location of the individual for whom such advisory was issued; the State agency or authority issuing endangered missing advisories, and the process by which endangered missing advisories are disseminated; the cost of establishing and operating such EMA plans; the criteria used by the State to determine whether to issue an endangered missing advisory; and the extent to which missing individuals for whom endangered missing advisories were issued crossed State lines; actions States have taken to protect the privacy and dignity of the individuals for whom endangered missing advisories are issued; ways that States have facilitated and improved communication about missing individuals between families, caregivers, law enforcement officials, and other authorities; and any other information the Coordinator determines to be appropriate.