Bill would track missing persons cases linked to federal land and waters
Passed one chamberS. 1038Latest action
Sponsor: Thom Tillis · Senator · NC
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Official title: TRACE Act
119th Congress
Topics: Crime & justice
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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The TRACE Act would add a federal land and coastal waters tracking feature to the national missing persons database.
40-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
The TRACE Act directs the Attorney General to add a feature to NamUs, the national missing and unidentified persons database, flagging whether a missing person's last known location was on federal land or in U.S. coastal waters, including specific site details. It also requires an annual report to Congress on how many cases involve these locations, starting about two years after enactment.
Who does it affect?
This affects federal land and water management agencies like the Forest Service, National Park Service, and Army Corps of Engineers, along with law enforcement and families of missing persons.
Why does it matter?
Better tracking of where people go missing on federal land or coastal waters could inform search efforts and resource decisions. The bill does not create new penalties or change existing missing persons laws.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedMar 13, 2025
- Senate committee
- Senate vote
- HouseYou are here · Sep 4, 2025
- The president's desk
Right now: it passed the Senate, and the official record shows nothing new since. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Held at the desk.