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Bill113th CongressFiled Jan 4, 2013Crime and Law Enforcement
H.R. 180

National Blue Alert Act of 2013

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Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house amended (May 14, 2013)

National Blue Alert Act of 2013 - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish a national Blue Alert communications network within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to disseminate information when a law enforcement officer is seriously injured or killed in the line of duty, in coordination with federal, state, and local Blue Alert plans; and (2) assign an existing DOJ officer to act as the national coordinator of the Blue Alert communications network.

Sets forth the duties of the national coordinator, including: (1) providing assistance to states and local governments that are using Blue Alert plans; (2) establishing voluntary guidelines for states and local governments to use in developing such plans; (3) developing protocols for efforts to apprehend suspects; (4) working with states to ensure appropriate regional coordination of various elements of the network; (5) establishing an advisory group to assist states, local governments, law enforcement agencies, and other entities in initiating, facilitating, and promoting Blue Alert plans; (6) acting as the nationwide point of contact for the development of the network and the regional coordination of Blue Alerts through the network; and (7) determining what procedures and practices are in use for notifying law enforcement and the public when a law enforcement officer is killed or seriously injured in the line of duty and which of the procedures and practices are effective and do not require the expenditure of additional resources to implement.

Requires the guidelines to: (1) provide that appropriate information relating to a Blue Alert is disseminated to officials of law enforcement, public health, and other agencies; and (2) provide mechanisms that ensure that Blue Alerts comply with all applicable federal, state, and local privacy laws and regulations and include standards that specifically provide for the protection of the civil liberties of law enforcement officers and their families.

Prohibits the coordinator from: (1) performing any official travel for the sole purpose of carrying out the duties of the coordinator, (2) lobbying any officer of a state regarding the funding or implementation of a Blue Alert plan, or (3) hosting a conference focused solely on the Blue Alert program that requires the expenditure of federal funds.

Directs the coordinator to annually submit a report on the coordinator's activities and the effectiveness and status of the Blue Alert plans that are in effect or being developed.

What just happenedDec 20, 2013

Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 284.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Grimm, Michael G. [R-NY-11](R-NY)Sponsor
14 cosponsors8 D6 R
Read on Congress.gov
14cosponsors1committees20actions1related bills6subjects
  • Placed on Calendar SenateDec 20, 2013
  • Reported in HouseMay 14, 2013
  • Engrossed in HouseMay 14, 2013
  • Introduced in HouseJan 4, 2013
  1. Dec 20, 2013Calendars

    Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 284.

  2. May 15, 2013IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate.

  3. May 14, 2013FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  4. May 14, 2013FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 406 - 2 (Roll no. 144). (text: CR H2579-2580)

  5. May 14, 2013Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 406 - 2 (Roll no. 144).(text: CR H2579-2580)

  6. May 14, 2013FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2586-2587)

  7. May 14, 2013FloorH37220

    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

  8. May 14, 2013FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 180.

  9. May 14, 2013FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2579-2582)

  10. May 14, 2013FloorH30300

    Mr. Goodlatte moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  11. May 14, 2013CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 32.

  12. May 14, 2013CommitteeH12200

    Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 113-54.

  13. May 14, 2013Committee5000

    Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 113-54.

  14. May 7, 2013Committee

    Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

  15. May 7, 2013Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  16. May 6, 2013Committee

    Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Discharged.

  17. Jan 25, 2013Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, And Investigations.

  18. Jan 4, 2013IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

  19. Jan 4, 2013IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  20. Jan 4, 2013IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House amendedMay 14, 201336

National Blue Alert Act of 2013 - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish a national Blue Alert communications network within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to disseminate information when a law enforcement officer is seriously injured or killed in the line of duty, in coordination with federal, state, and local Blue Alert plans; and (2) assign an existing DOJ officer to act as the national coordinator of the Blue Alert communications network.

Sets forth the duties of the national coordinator, including: (1) providing assistance to states and local governments that are using Blue Alert plans; (2) establishing voluntary guidelines for states and local governments to use in developing such plans; (3) developing protocols for efforts to apprehend suspects; (4) working with states to ensure appropriate regional coordination of various elements of the network; (5) establishing an advisory group to assist states, local governments, law enforcement agencies, and other entities in initiating, facilitating, and promoting Blue Alert plans; (6) acting as the nationwide point of contact for the development of the network and the regional coordination of Blue Alerts through the network; and (7) determining what procedures and practices are in use for notifying law enforcement and the public when a law enforcement officer is killed or seriously injured in the line of duty and which of the procedures and practices are effective and do not require the expenditure of additional resources to implement.

Requires the guidelines to: (1) provide that appropriate information relating to a Blue Alert is disseminated to officials of law enforcement, public health, and other agencies; and (2) provide mechanisms that ensure that Blue Alerts comply with all applicable federal, state, and local privacy laws and regulations and include standards that specifically provide for the protection of the civil liberties of law enforcement officers and their families.

Prohibits the coordinator from: (1) performing any official travel for the sole purpose of carrying out the duties of the coordinator, (2) lobbying any officer of a state regarding the funding or implementation of a Blue Alert plan, or (3) hosting a conference focused solely on the Blue Alert program that requires the expenditure of federal funds.

Directs the coordinator to annually submit a report on the coordinator's activities and the effectiveness and status of the Blue Alert plans that are in effect or being developed.

Introduced in HouseJan 4, 2013

National Blue Alert Act of 2013 - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish a national Blue Alert communications network within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to disseminate information when a law enforcement officer is seriously injured or killed in the line of duty, in coordination with federal, state, and local Blue Alert plans; and (2) assign an existing DOJ officer to act as the national coordinator of the Blue Alert communications network.

Sets forth the duties of the national coordinator, including: (1) providing assistance to states and local governments that are using Blue Alert plans; (2) establishing voluntary guidelines for states and local governments to use in developing such plans; (3) developing protocols for efforts to apprehend suspects; (4) working with states to ensure appropriate regional coordination of various elements of the network; (5) establishing an advisory group to assist states, local governments, law enforcement agencies, and other entities in initiating, facilitating, and promoting Blue Alert plans; (6) acting as the nationwide point of contact for the development of the network and the regional coordination of Blue Alerts through the network; and (7) determining what procedures and practices are in use for notifying law enforcement and the public when a law enforcement officer is killed or seriously injured in the line of duty and which of the procedures and practices are effective and that do not require the expenditure of additional resources to implement.

Requires the guidelines to: (1) provide that appropriate information relating to a Blue Alert is disseminated to officials of law enforcement, public health, and other agencies; and (2) provide mechanisms that ensure that Blue Alerts comply with all applicable federal, state, and local privacy laws and regulations and include standards that specifically provide for the protection of the civil liberties of law enforcement officers and their families.

Directs the coordinator to annually submit a report on the coordinator's activities and the effectiveness and status of the Blue Alert plans that are in effect or being developed.