Mark Alford (R-MO)
Enhanced Alerts for Missing Loved Ones with Disabilities Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Enhanced Alerts for Missing Loved Ones with Disabilities Act of 2026. It updates Kristen's Act to include information about developmental disabilities, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia in alerts sent through the Ashanti Alert communications network. The bill also updates the specific criteria for when these alerts can be issued regarding individuals with these diagnoses. Finally, it adds new requirements for training and educational programs to help respond effectively to reported missing adults and children who have a developmental disability.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +9
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The legislation directly improves safety, alert accuracy, and search response training for individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Scored +8
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
Seniors benefit significantly from the explicit inclusion of Alzheimer's disease and dementia in the Ashanti Alert network criteria.
- Scored +8
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?
The bill enhances safety and alert mechanisms specifically for individuals with developmental disabilities, Alzheimer's, and dementia.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Better Information in Alerts: Section 2 of the bill amends Kristen's Act to ensure that alerts issued through the Ashanti Alert communications network include information about whether a missing individual has a developmental disability, Alzheimer's disease, or dementia. This is positive because it provides more specific details to the public and authorities when trying to locate a vulnerable missing person.
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Expanded Criteria for Missing Adults: Section 2 also updates the criteria in section 204(b)(3) of Kristen's Act, replacing a general reference to a proven mental or physical disability with specific mentions of individuals diagnosed with a mental disability, a physical disability, a developmental disability, Alzheimer's disease, or dementia. This could help more people qualify for the alert system based on their specific diagnoses.
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Improved Training for Missing Adults and Children: Section 3 adds requirements for training and educational programs related to responding effectively to reported missing adults and children with developmental disabilities, covering both Kristen's Act and the PROTECT Act. This is positive because it helps states, territories, and tribal governments learn how to handle these specific situations better.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Negative Impacts Identified: Based strictly on the provided text of the bill, there are no specific provisions that outline negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The legislation directly improves safety, alert accuracy, and search response training for individuals with developmental disabilities. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Seniors benefit significantly from the explicit inclusion of Alzheimer's disease and dementia in the Ashanti Alert network criteria. Would children be better off under this? — The bill updates missing children programs to include specific training and provisions for missing children with developmental disabilities. Would retired people be better off under this? — Retirees benefit from improved protections and alert criteria covering age-related cognitive conditions like dementia and Alzheimer's.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill enhances safety and alert mechanisms specifically for individuals with developmental disabilities, Alzheimer's, and dementia.
- 7/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/3/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Dan NewhouseRepublican · Washington
Jason SmithRepublican · Missouri