PETITION CLOSED

  • The time period for signing this petition has ended.
Urge the Senate to Help Solve Missing Person Cases
  1. Signatures
    390 out of 1,000
    Petitioning
    1. The U.S. Senate
  2. Created By
    Elizabeth Renter
    Clayton, NC
About this Petition Petition Letter

It is estimated that there are over 40,000 unidentified remains currently awaiting identification in coroner or medical examiner's offices across the United States. Because space is limited, some of these John and Jane Doe's have been buried or cremated prior to their identification. Until recently, the only way for families and friends of missing people to potentially claim a body was for them to call each and every office across the country. Now, however, the potential exists for people to search an online database of those remains. The problem? This database is only being used by an estimated 6.5% of law enforcement agencies. But, there is a solution--Billy's Law, legislation pending in the Senate that could make it more feasible for law enforcement agencies to participate and easier for friends and family to get some closure.

Every year over 100,000 adults are reported missing. Traditionally, missing children have had a higher recovery rate simply because of their age, media attention, and the fact that reporting is nationally mandated for those under the age of 18. Because the same requirements don't exist for missing adults, many remain missing and those recovered deceased are often not identified. While Billy's Law doesn't require any changes to the nationally reporting of missing adults, it does provide a crucial resource for both law enforcement and the families of missing people. Do your part and show the Senate your support for Billy's Law. 

Photo Credit: Romulusnr

Recent Signatures

H.R. 3695

Greetings,

I am writing this letter in support of pending legislation, Billy's Law (H.R. 3695). According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, over 4,000 unidentified remains are discovered each year. After one year, 1,000 of these bodies remain unidentified. With thousands of people reported missing each year, it is likely that a family member, friend, or loved one is looking for that unidentified person and simply can't find them due to the absence of a cooperative effort by law enforcement across the country.
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) stands to change that. Since its launch in June of last year, the database of unidentified decedents and missing persons has proved essential in solving 16 cases. With the passing of Billy's Law, this number only stands to grow. Unfortunately, without the funding of Billy's Law not all law enforcement agencies are able to allocate the resources necessary to use the NamUs system.
The passing of Billy's Law would make it possible for agencies across the country to input information on their unidentified decedents, increasing the number of case resolutions and potentially bringing closure to families of missing persons all over. I support this funding and hope that you do as well. I respectfully urge you to pass H.R. 3695 when it comes before you.

[Your name]

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