§ 11291. Findings

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

1. 1984

   Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974

   Pub. L. 93–415 title IV § 402 · [88 Stat. 1109]

   Enacted · 34 U.S.C. § 11291

   Pub. L. 93–415, title IV, § 402, as added Pub. L. 98–473, title II, § 660, Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2125

   Source evidence

   Code source credit
   Pub. L. 93–415, title IV, § 402, as added Pub. L. 98–473, title II, § 660, Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2125

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   Sec. 402. consultation (a) Section 408 of such Act is amended by adding at the 42 USC 3888. end of subsection (a) thereof the following new subsection: “(b) The Secretary shall consult with the Attorney General for the purpose of coordinating the development and implementation of programs and activities funded under this Act with those related programs and activities funded under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe. Streets Act of 1968”; 42 USC 3701 note. and by deleting subsection (b) thereof. (b) Section 409 is repealed. Repeal. 42 USC 3889.

2. 1999

   Missing, Exploited, and Runaway Children Protection Act

   Pub. L. 106–71 § 2(a) · 113 Stat. 1032

   Added · 34 U.S.C. § 11291(9)(21)

   Pub. L. 106–71 added pars. (9) to (21)

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Pars. (9) to (21). Pub. L. 106–71 added pars. (9) to (21).

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (a) Findings.— Section 402 of the Missing Children’s Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5771) is amended— (1) in paragraph (7), by striking “and” at the end; (2) in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (3) by adding at the end the following: “(9) for 14 years, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has— “(A) served as the national resource center and clearinghouse congressionally mandated under the provisions of the Missing Children’s Assistance Act of 1984; and “(B) worked in partnership with the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of State, and many other agencies in the effort to find missing children and prevent child victimization; “(10) Congress has given the Center, which is a private nonprofit corporation, access to the National Crime Information Center of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System; “(11) since 1987, the Center has operated the National Child Pornography Tipline, in conjunction with the United States Customs Service and the United States Postal Inspection Service and, beginning this year, the Center established a new CyberTipline on child exploitation, thus becoming ‘the 911 for the Internet’; “(12) in light of statistics that time is of the essence in cases of child abduction, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in February of 1997 created a new NCIC child abduction (‘CA’) flag to provide the Center immediate notification in the most serious cases, resulting in 642 ‘CA’ notifications to the Center and helping the Center to have its highest recovery rate in history; “(13) the Center has established a national and increasingly worldwide network, linking the Center online with each of the missing children clearinghouses operated by the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, as well as with Scotland Yard in the United Kingdom, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, INTERPOL headquarters in Lyon, France, and others, which has enabled the Center to transmit images and information regarding missing children to law enforcement across the United States and around the world instantly; “(14) from its inception in 1984 through March 31, 1998, enter has— “(A) handled 1,203,974 calls through its 24-hour toll-free hotline (1–800–THE–LOST) and currently averages 700 calls per day; “(B) trained 146,284 law enforcement, criminal and juvenile justice, and healthcare professionals in child sexual exploitation and missing child case detection, identification, investigation, and prevention; “(C) disseminated 15,491,344 free publications to citizens and professionals; and “(D) worked with law enforcement on the cases of 59,481 missing children, resulting in the recovery of 40,180 children; “(15) the demand for the services of the Center is growing dramatically, as evidenced by the fact that in 1997, the Center handled 129,100 calls, an all-time record, and by the fact that its new Internet website (www.missingkids.com) receives 1,500,000 ‘hits’ every day, and is linked with hundreds of other websites to provide real-time images of breaking cases of missing children; “(16) in 1997, the Center provided policy training to 256 police chiefs and sheriffs from 50 States and Guam at its new Jimmy Ryce Law Enforcement Training Center; “(17) the programs of the Center have had a remarkable impact, such as in the fight against infant abductions in partnership with the healthcare industry, during which the Center has performed 668 onsite hospital walk-throughs and inspections, and trained 45,065 hospital administrators, nurses, and security personnel, and thereby helped to reduce infant abductions in the United States by 82 percent; “(18) the Center is now playing a significant role in international child abduction cases, serving as a representative of the Department of State at cases under The Hague Convention, and successfully resolving the cases of 343 international child abductions, and providing greater support to parents in the United States; “(19) the Center is a model of public/private partnership, raising private sector funds to match congressional appropriations and receiving extensive private in-kind support, including advanced technology provided by the computer industry such as imaging technology used to age the photographs of longterm missing children and to reconstruct facial images of unidentified deceased children; “(20) the Center was 1 of only 10 of 300 major national charities given an A+ grade in 1997 by the American Institute of Philanthropy; and “(21) the Center has been redesignated as the Nation’s missing children clearinghouse and resource center once every 3 years through a competitive selection process conducted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department of Justice, and has received grants from that Office to conduct the crucial purposes of the Center.”.

3. 2003

   Runaway, Homeless, and Missing Children Protection Act

   Pub. L. 108–96 title II § 201 · 117 Stat. 1167

   Amended · 34 U.S.C. § 11291

   Pub. L. 108–96 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section consisted of pars. (1) to (21) stating findings of Congress

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Pub. L. 108–96 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section consisted of pars. (1) to (21) stating findings of Congress.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   SEC. 201. AMENDMENT TO FINDINGS.   Section 402 of the Missing Children’s Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5771) is amended to read as follows: “SEC. 402. FINDINGS.   “The Congress finds that— “(1) each year thousands of children are abducted or removed from the control of a parent having legal custody without such parent’s consent, under circumstances which immediately place the child in grave danger; “(2) many missing children are at great risk of both physical harm and sexual exploitation; “(3) in many cases, parents and local law enforcement officials have neither the resources nor the expertise to mount expanded search efforts; “(4) abducted children are frequently moved from one locality to another, requiring the cooperation and coordination of local, State, and Federal law enforcement efforts; “(5) the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children— “(A) serves as the national resource center and clearinghouse; “(B) works in partnership with the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of State, and many other agencies in the effort to find missing children and prevent child victimization; and “(C) operates a national and increasingly worldwide network, linking the Center online with each of the missing children clearinghouses operated by the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, as well as with Scotland Yard in the United Kingdom, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, INTERPOL headquarters in Lyon, France, and others, which enable the Center to transmit images and information regarding missing children to law enforcement across the United States and around the world instantly.” .

4. 2008

   Protecting Our Children Comes First Act of 2007

   Pub. L. 110–240 § 2 · 122 Stat. 1560

   Amended · 34 U.S.C. § 11291

   Pub. L. 110–240 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section consisted of pars. (1) to (5) stating findings of Congress concerning missing or abducted children and the role of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Pub. L. 110–240 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section consisted of pars. (1) to (5) stating findings of Congress concerning missing or abducted children and the role of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   SEC. 2. FINDINGS.   Section 402 of the Missing Children’s Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5771) is amended to read as follows: “SEC. 402. FINDINGS.   “The Congress finds that— “(1) each year thousands of children are abducted or removed from the control of a parent having legal custody without such parent’s consent, under circumstances which immediately place the child in grave danger; “(2) many missing children are at great risk of both physical harm and sexual exploitation; “(3) in many cases, parents and local law enforcement officials have neither the resources nor the expertise to mount expanded search efforts; “(4) abducted children are frequently moved from one locality to another, requiring the cooperation and coordination of local, State, and Federal law enforcement efforts; “(5) growing numbers of children are the victims of child sexual exploitation, increasingly involving the use of new technology to access the Internet; “(6) children may be separated from their parents or legal guardians as a result of national disasters such as hurricanes and floods; “(7) sex offenders pose a threat to children; “(8) the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention administers programs under this Act through the Child Protection Division, including programs which prevent or address offenses committed against vulnerable children and which support missing children’s organizations; and “(9) a key component of such programs is the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which— “(A) serves as a national resource center and clearinghouse; “(B) works in partnership with the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshals Service, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of State, the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the United States Secret Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and many other agencies in the effort to find missing children and prevent child victimization; and “(C) operates a national network, linking the Center online with each of the missing children clearinghouses operated by the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, as well as with international organizations, including Scotland Yard in the United Kingdom, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, INTERPOL headquarters in Lyon, France, and others, which enable the Center to transmit images and information regarding missing and exploited children to law enforcement across the United States and around the world instantly.” .

5. 2013

   E. Clay Shaw, Jr. Missing Children’s Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2013

   Pub. L. 113–38 § 2(a) · 127 Stat. 527

   1. Added · 34 U.S.C. § 11291

      Pub. L. 113–38 added par. (3)

   2. Redesignated · 34 U.S.C. § 11291

      Pub. L. 113–38 redesignated former pars. (3) to (9) as (4) to (10), respectively

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Pub. L. 113–38 added par. (3) and redesignated former pars. (3) to (9) as (4) to (10), respectively.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (a) Findings.— Section 402 of the Missing Children’s Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5771) is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (9) as paragraphs (4) through (10), respectively, and (2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: “(3) many missing children are runaways;” .

6. 2018

   Missing Children’s Assistance Act of 2018

   Pub. L. 115–267 § 2(a)(1) · 132 Stat. 3756

   Amended · 34 U.S.C. § 11291(1)

   Pub. L. 115–267, § 2(a)(1), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: “each year thousands of children are abducted or removed from the control of a parent having legal custody without such parent’s consent, under circumstances which immediately place the child in grave danger;”

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Par. (1). Pub. L. 115–267, § 2(a)(1), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: “each year thousands of children are abducted or removed from the control of a parent having legal custody without such parent’s consent, under circumstances which immediately place the child in grave danger;”.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (1) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: “(1) each year tens of thousands of children run away, or are abducted or removed, from the control of a parent having legal custody without the consent of that parent, under circumstances which immediately place the child in grave danger;” ;

   Effective date note
   Pub. L. 115–267, § 4, Oct. 11, 2018, 132 Stat. 3760, provided that:

7. 2018

   Missing Children’s Assistance Act of 2018

   Pub. L. 115–267 § 2(a)(2) · 132 Stat. 3756

   1. Redesignated · 34 U.S.C. § 11291(4)

      Pub. L. 115–267, § 2(a)(2)–(4), redesignated par. (6) as (4)

   2. Inserted · 34 U.S.C. § 11291(4)

      Pub. L. 115–267, § 2(a)(2)–(4), inserted “, including child sex trafficking and sextortion” after “exploitation”

   3. Struck · 34 U.S.C. § 11291(4)

      Pub. L. 115–267, § 2(a)(2)–(4), struck out former par. (4) which read as follows: “in many cases, parents and local law enforcement officials have neither the resources nor the expertise to mount expanded search efforts;”

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Par. (4). Pub. L. 115–267, § 2(a)(2)–(4), redesignated par. (6) as (4), inserted “, including child sex trafficking and sextortion” after “exploitation”, and struck out former par. (4) which read as follows: “in many cases, parents and local law enforcement officials have neither the resources nor the expertise to mount expanded search efforts;”.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (2) by striking paragraphs (4), (5), and (9);

   Effective date note
   Pub. L. 115–267, § 4, Oct. 11, 2018, 132 Stat. 3760, provided that:

8. 2018

   Missing Children’s Assistance Act of 2018

   Pub. L. 115–267 § 2(a)(2) · 132 Stat. 3756

   1. Redesignated · 34 U.S.C. § 11291(5)

      Pub. L. 115–267, § 2(a)(2), (3), redesignated par. (7) as (5)

   2. Struck · 34 U.S.C. § 11291(5)

      Pub. L. 115–267, § 2(a)(2), (3), struck out former par. (5) which read as follows: “abducted children are frequently moved from one locality to another, requiring the cooperation and coordination of local, State, and Federal law enforcement efforts;”

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Par. (5). Pub. L. 115–267, § 2(a)(2), (3), redesignated par. (7) as (5) and struck out former par. (5) which read as follows: “abducted children are frequently moved from one locality to another, requiring the cooperation and coordination of local, State, and Federal law enforcement efforts;”.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (2) by striking paragraphs (4), (5), and (9);

   Effective date note
   Pub. L. 115–267, § 4, Oct. 11, 2018, 132 Stat. 3760, provided that:

9. 2018

   Missing Children’s Assistance Act of 2018

   Pub. L. 115–267 § 2(a)(3) · 132 Stat. 3756

   1. Redesignated · 34 U.S.C. § 11291(6)

      Pub. L. 115–267, § 2(a)(3), (5), redesignated par. (8) as (6)

   2. Redesignated · 34 U.S.C. § 11291(6)

      Pub. L. 115–267, § 2(a)(3), (5), inserted “and” at end. Former par. (6) redesignated (4)

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Par. (6). Pub. L. 115–267, § 2(a)(3), (5), redesignated par. (8) as (6) and inserted “and” at end. Former par. (6) redesignated (4).

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (3) by redesignating paragraphs (6), (7), (8), and (10) as paragraphs (4), (5), (6), and (7), respectively;

   Effective date note
   Pub. L. 115–267, § 4, Oct. 11, 2018, 132 Stat. 3760, provided that:

10. 2018

    Missing Children’s Assistance Act of 2018

    Pub. L. 115–267 § 2(a)(3) · 132 Stat. 3756

    1. Redesignated · 34 U.S.C. § 11291(7)

       Pub. L. 115–267, § 2(a)(3), (6), redesignated par. (10) as (7)

    2. Redesignated · 34 U.S.C. § 11291(7)

       Pub. L. 115–267, § 2(a)(3), (6), amended it generally. Prior to amendment, text related to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Former par. (7) redesignated (5)

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Par. (7). Pub. L. 115–267, § 2(a)(3), (6), redesignated par. (10) as (7) and amended it generally. Prior to amendment, text related to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Former par. (7) redesignated (5).

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (3) by redesignating paragraphs (6), (7), (8), and (10) as paragraphs (4), (5), (6), and (7), respectively;

    Effective date note
    Pub. L. 115–267, § 4, Oct. 11, 2018, 132 Stat. 3760, provided that:

11. 2018

    Missing Children’s Assistance Act of 2018

    Pub. L. 115–267 § 2(a)(2) · 132 Stat. 3756

    1. Redesignated · 34 U.S.C. § 11291(8)(10)

       Pub. L. 115–267, § 2(a)(2), (3), redesignated pars. (8) and (10) as (6) and (7), respectively

    2. Struck · 34 U.S.C. § 11291(8)(10)

       Pub. L. 115–267, § 2(a)(2), (3), struck out par. (9) which read as follows: “the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention administers programs under this chapter through the Child Protection Division, including programs which prevent or address offenses committed against vulnerable children and which support missing children’s organizations; and”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Pars. (8) to (10). Pub. L. 115–267, § 2(a)(2), (3), redesignated pars. (8) and (10) as (6) and (7), respectively, and struck out par. (9) which read as follows: “the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention administers programs under this chapter through the Child Protection Division, including programs which prevent or address offenses committed against vulnerable children and which support missing children’s organizations; and”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (2) by striking paragraphs (4), (5), and (9);

    Effective date note
    Pub. L. 115–267, § 4, Oct. 11, 2018, 132 Stat. 3760, provided that:

12. 2018

    Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2017

    Pub. L. 115–393 title II § 202(a) · 132 Stat. 5265

    Changed · 34 U.S.C. § 11291

    Pub. L. 115–393 made amendments to this section substantially identical to those made by Pub. L. 115–267, § 2(a). See Amendment notes below. Text of section is based on amendments by Pub. L. 115–267

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Pub. L. 115–393 made amendments to this section substantially identical to those made by Pub. L. 115–267, § 2(a). See Amendment notes below. Text of section is based on amendments by Pub. L. 115–267.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (a) Findings.— Section 402 of the Missing Children’s Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5771) is amended— (1) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: “(1) each year tens of thousands of children run away, or are abducted or removed, from the control of a parent having legal custody without the consent of that parent, under circumstances which immediately place the child in grave danger;” ; (2) by striking paragraphs (4) and (5); (3) in paragraph (6) by inserting “, including child sex trafficking and sextortion” after “exploitation”; (4) in paragraph (8) by adding “and” at the end; (5) by striking paragraph (9); (6) by amending paragraph (10) to read as follows: “(10) a key component of such programs is the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that— “(A) serves as a nonprofit, national resource center and clearinghouse to provide assistance to victims, families, child-serving professionals, and the general public; “(B) works with the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshals Service, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of State, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the United States Secret Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, other agencies, and nongovernmental organizations in the effort to find missing children and to prevent child victimization; and “(C) coordinates with each of the missing children clearinghouses operated by the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and international organizations to transmit images and information regarding missing and exploited children to law enforcement agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and corporate partners across the United States and around the world instantly.” ; and (7) by redesignating paragraphs (6), (7), (8), and (10), as amended by this subsection, as paragraphs (4), (5), (6), and (7), respectively.

19 of 19 references resolved to an enrolled provision