Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) called for federal action on tracking devices. In light of the death of Avonte Oquendo, he is sponsoring eponymous legislation.
New York Senator Charles Schumer is announcing that he will introduce legislation called "Avonte's Law" to protect autistic children.
Schumer's proposed bill would create and fund a program to provide voluntary tracking devices and expand support services for families with children who have Autism Spectrum Disorder or other developmental disorders in which "bolting" from parents or caregivers is common.
The voluntary program would only be for parents who choose to use the devices.
Schumer wants to give the Justice Department the authority and funding to provide grants to local law enforcement entities and other organizations with an interest in assisting these children.
This program would be modeled off an innovative, voluntary federal program that is already in place to track seniors with Alzheimer's.
