Congresswoman Waters Urges House Judiciary Committee to Favorably Report Kevin and Avonte’s Law
Bipartisan Bill would Protect Children with Developmental Disabilities and Seniors with Dementia
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Committee and Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease, sent a letter to House Judiciary Committee leaders yesterday urging them to favorably report Kevin and Avonte’s Law for consideration on the Floor of the House prior to the adjournment of the 114th Congress. The letter was cosigned by Congressman Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease and Co-Chair of the Congressional Coalition on Autism Research and Education, and Congressman Mike Doyle (D-PA), Co-Chair of the Congressional Coalition on Autism Research and Education.
Kevin and Avonte’s Law is a bipartisan bill to protect children with developmental disabilities and seniors with dementia who are prone to wandering. The House version of this bill (H.R. 4919) is cosponsored by 82 Members of Congress and was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary’s Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. The Senate version (S. 2614) passed the Senate by voice vote on July 14, 2016.
“As a leader in the fight to end Alzheimer’s disease, I know how challenging the problem of wandering can be for Alzheimer’s patients, their families and caregivers,” said Congresswoman Waters. “Passing Kevin and Avonte’s Law is something Congress can do now to protect Alzheimer’s patients as well as children with developmental disabilities. The legislation has broad bipartisan support in Congress and among advocates for families affected by these conditions. While there are many issues Congress should consider before adjourning this year, this common sense measure must be counted among our top priorities during the coming lame duck session.”
Kevin and Avonte’s Law is endorsed by the Autism Safety Coalition (including The Arc, the Autism Society, Autism Speaks, SafeMinds, and the National Autism Association), the Alzheimer’s Association, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, the National Down Syndrome Society, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
The complete text of the letter can be found here:
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