Sen. Chuck Schumer unveiled his proposed “Avonte’s Law” on Sunday, which would provide funds for tracking devices for autistic children.
The New York Democrat announced the bill one day after the funeral of Avonte Oquendo, the teenage boy with autism whose remains were found this month after he disappeared from his school in October, the New York Times reported.
“Avonte’s running away was not an isolated incident,” Mr. Schumer said at a news conference alongside the deceased boy’s mother and grandmother. “This is a high-tech solution to an age-old problem.”
Mr. Schumer wants to expand an existing Department of Justice program for people suffering with Alzheimer’s to include autistic children. The legislation would allocate $10 million for the program, giving parents free access to the devices.
“The program would be completely voluntary for parents and run by local law enforcement,” a release from his office said.
The devices could be attached to wristwatches or even woven into shoelaces, the New York Daily News reported.
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• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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