WASHINGTON – Today, President Biden signed the Missing Children’s Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2023 into law, marking a significant effort by the Senate Judiciary Committee to protect children online. The bipartisan bill, sponsored by U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), renews funding for the Missing Children’s Assistance Act (MCAA) through Fiscal Year 2028 and updates the statute concerning the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).
Key Highlights of the Act
Funding Renewal and Updates:
- Reauthorization: The Act renews funding for the Missing Children’s Assistance Act through 2028.
- Funding Amount: It authorizes $49.3 million per year, with $41.5 million allocated to NCMEC.
Enhanced Support and Services:
- Support for Families: Expands NCMEC’s ability to provide support services to families with missing or exploited children.
- Background Checks: Permits NCMEC to provide technical assistance on background checks for individuals working with children.
- State-sponsored Care Reporting: Requires the reporting of information about children missing from state-sponsored care.
Modernization Efforts:
- CSAM Removal Program: Codifies a program to facilitate requests to remove child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from online platforms.
Statements from Key Senators
Senator Dick Durbin:
“The horrors of the Internet are every parent’s worst nightmare. NCMEC is an invaluable lifeline, handling 100,000 CyberTips daily about child sexual exploitation. This reauthorization strengthens these critical programs.”
Senator Lindsey Graham:
“NCMEC is crucial for child protection. This bipartisan legislation ensures NCMEC’s vital programs continue.”
Legislative Journey
The Senate passed the bill by unanimous vote on July 28, 2023. The House, led by Representatives Aaron Bean (R-FL-04), Joe Courtney (D-CT-02), Virginia Foxx (R-NC-05), and Bobby Scott (D-VA-03), passed an amended version on April 9, 2024. The Senate approved this version on June 5.
Reactions from House Representatives
Representative Aaron Bean:
“As a father, I understand the pain of a missing or exploited child. This bill modernizes reporting systems to quickly find missing children and support families.”
Representative Joe Courtney:
“Reauthorizing the MCAA provides critical resources to NCMEC to protect children and support families in today’s digital age.”
Representative Virginia Foxx:
“This issue transcends politics. The reauthorization allows NCMEC to continue its vital work in protecting the most vulnerable children.”
Representative Bobby Scott:
“Reauthorizing NCMEC’s grant program ensures it has the necessary tools to protect and support exploited children, providing hope for affected families.”
NCMEC’s Role and Impact
NCMEC, a private non-profit organization, collaborates with families, law enforcement, and the public to prevent child abductions, recover missing children, and combat child sexual exploitation. Key programs include:
- 24-Hour Hotline: A national toll-free hotline for missing child reports.
- CyberTipline: A centralized reporting system for online child exploitation.
- Child Victim Identification Program: A clearinghouse for identifying and locating children depicted in CSAM.
From 1,380 daily CyberTips in 2013 to 100,000 in 2023, NCMEC’s workload has exponentially increased, underscoring the importance of this reauthorization.
Conclusion
The Missing Children’s Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2023 fortifies the efforts to protect children from online exploitation and support affected families. By ensuring NCMEC has the resources and capabilities to address these challenges, the legislation marks a crucial step in safeguarding the most vulnerable members of society.
SOURCE: SENATE JUDICIARY REPORT
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