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S. 665Became Law

Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu National Blue Alert Act of 2015

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.)

Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu National Blue Alert Act of 2015

(Sec. 3) Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish a national Blue Alert communications network within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue Blue Alerts through the initiation, facilitation, and promotion of Blue Alert plans for the dissemination of information received as a Blue Alert, in coordination with states, local governments, and law enforcement agencies; and (2) assign an existing DOJ officer to act as the national coordinator of the network.

Defines "Blue Alert" as information sent through the network relating to: (1) the serious injury or death of a law enforcement officer in the line of duty, (2) an officer who is missing in connection with the officer's official duties, or (3) an imminent and credible threat that an individual intends to cause the serious injury or death of a law enforcement officer.

(Sec. 4) Sets forth the duties of the national coordinator, including:

  • providing assistance to states and local governments that are using Blue Alert plans;
  • establishing voluntary guidelines for states and local governments to use in developing such plans;
  • developing protocols for efforts to apprehend suspects;
  • working with states to ensure appropriate regional coordination of various elements of the network;
  • establishing an advisory group to assist states, local governments, law enforcement agencies, and other entities in initiating, facilitating, and promoting Blue Alert plans;
  • acting as the nationwide point of contact for the development of the network and the regional coordination of Blue Alerts through the network; and
  • determining what procedures and practices are in use for notifying law enforcement and the public of a Blue Alert and which 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; (2) provide mechanisms that ensure that Blue Alerts comply with all applicable federal, state, and local privacy laws and regulations; and (3) include standards that specifically provide for the protection of the civil liberties of law enforcement officers and their families.

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

Became Public Law No: 114-12.

Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD](D-MD)Sponsor
27 cosponsors18 D9 R
27cosponsors2committees23actions1related bills7subjects
  1. President

    Became Public Law No: 114-12.

  2. BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 114-12.

  3. President

    Signed by President.

  4. BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Floor

    Presented to President.

  6. President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. FloorH38310

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

  8. FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2840-2841)

  9. Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H2840-2841)

  10. FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 665.

  11. FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2840-2846)

  12. FloorH30300

    Mr. Goodlatte moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

  13. IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

    Judiciary Committee
  14. FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  15. Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  16. Floor

    Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S2587-2589; text as passed Senate: CR S2588-2589)

  17. Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S2587-2589; text as passed Senate: CR S2588-2589)

  18. Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 33.

  19. Committee

    Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley without amendment. Without written report.

    Judiciary Committee
  20. Committee14000

    Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley without amendment. Without written report.

    Judiciary Committee
  21. Committee

    Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

    Judiciary Committee
  22. IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1307)

    Judiciary Committee
  23. IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

May 19, 201549

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.)

Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu National Blue Alert Act of 2015

(Sec. 3) Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish a national Blue Alert communications network within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue Blue Alerts through the initiation, facilitation, and promotion of Blue Alert plans for the dissemination of information received as a Blue Alert, in coordination with states, local governments, and law enforcement agencies; and (2) assign an existing DOJ officer to act as the national coordinator of the network.

Defines "Blue Alert" as information sent through the network relating to: (1) the serious injury or death of a law enforcement officer in the line of duty, (2) an officer who is missing in connection with the officer's official duties, or (3) an imminent and credible threat that an individual intends to cause the serious injury or death of a law enforcement officer.

(Sec. 4) Sets forth the duties of the national coordinator, including:

  • providing assistance to states and local governments that are using Blue Alert plans;
  • establishing voluntary guidelines for states and local governments to use in developing such plans;
  • developing protocols for efforts to apprehend suspects;
  • working with states to ensure appropriate regional coordination of various elements of the network;
  • establishing an advisory group to assist states, local governments, law enforcement agencies, and other entities in initiating, facilitating, and promoting Blue Alert plans;
  • acting as the nationwide point of contact for the development of the network and the regional coordination of Blue Alerts through the network; and
  • determining what procedures and practices are in use for notifying law enforcement and the public of a Blue Alert and which 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; (2) provide mechanisms that ensure that Blue Alerts comply with all applicable federal, state, and local privacy laws and regulations; and (3) include standards that specifically provide for the protection of the civil liberties of law enforcement officers and their families.

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

May 12, 201581

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.)

Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu National Blue Alert Act of 2015

(Sec. 3) Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish a national Blue Alert communications network within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue Blue Alerts through the initiation, facilitation, and promotion of Blue Alert plans for the dissemination of information received as a Blue Alert, in coordination with states, local governments, and law enforcement agencies; and (2) assign an existing DOJ officer to act as the national coordinator of the network.

Defines "Blue Alert" as information sent through the network relating to: (1) the serious injury or death of a law enforcement officer in the line of duty, (2) an officer who is missing in connection with the officer's official duties, or (3) an imminent and credible threat that an individual intends to cause the serious injury or death of a law enforcement officer.

(Sec. 4) Sets forth the duties of the national coordinator, including:

  • providing assistance to states and local governments that are using Blue Alert plans;
  • establishing voluntary guidelines for states and local governments to use in developing such plans;
  • developing protocols for efforts to apprehend suspects;
  • working with states to ensure appropriate regional coordination of various elements of the network;
  • establishing an advisory group to assist states, local governments, law enforcement agencies, and other entities in initiating, facilitating, and promoting Blue Alert plans;
  • acting as the nationwide point of contact for the development of the network and the regional coordination of Blue Alerts through the network; and
  • determining what procedures and practices are in use for notifying law enforcement and the public of a Blue Alert and which 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; (2) provide mechanisms that ensure that Blue Alerts comply with all applicable federal, state, and local privacy laws and regulations; and (3) include standards that specifically provide for the protection of the civil liberties of law enforcement officers and their families.

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

Apr 30, 201582

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.)

Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu National Blue Alert Act of 2015

(Sec. 3) Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish a national Blue Alert communications network within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue Blue Alerts through the initiation, facilitation, and promotion of Blue Alert plans for the dissemination of information received as a Blue Alert, in coordination with states, local governments, and law enforcement agencies; and (2) assign an existing DOJ officer to act as the national coordinator of the network.

Defines "Blue Alert" as information sent through the network relating to: (1) the serious injury or death of a law enforcement officer in the line of duty, (2) an officer who is missing in connection with the officer's official duties, or (3) an imminent and credible threat that an individual intends to cause the serious injury or death of a law enforcement officer.

(Sec. 4) Sets forth the duties of the national coordinator, including:

  • providing assistance to states and local governments that are using Blue Alert plans;
  • establishing voluntary guidelines for states and local governments to use in developing such plans;
  • developing protocols for efforts to apprehend suspects;
  • working with states to ensure appropriate regional coordination of various elements of the network;
  • establishing an advisory group to assist states, local governments, law enforcement agencies, and other entities in initiating, facilitating, and promoting Blue Alert plans;
  • acting as the nationwide point of contact for the development of the network and the regional coordination of Blue Alerts through the network; and
  • determining what procedures and practices are in use for notifying law enforcement and the public of a Blue Alert and which 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; (2) provide mechanisms that ensure that Blue Alerts comply with all applicable federal, state, and local privacy laws and regulations; and (3) include standards that specifically provide for the protection of the civil liberties of law enforcement officers and their families.

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

Mar 26, 201580

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu National Blue Alert Act of 2015

(Sec. 3) Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish a national Blue Alert communications network within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue Blue Alerts through the initiation, facilitation, and promotion of Blue Alert plans for the dissemination of information received as a Blue Alert, in coordination with states, local governments, and law enforcement agencies; and (2) assign an existing DOJ officer to act as the national coordinator of the network.

Defines "Blue Alert" as information sent through the network relating to: (1) the serious injury or death of a law enforcement officer in the line of duty, (2) an officer who is missing in connection with the officer's official duties, or (3) an imminent and credible threat that an individual intends to cause the serious injury or death of a law enforcement officer.

(Sec. 4) Sets forth the duties of the national coordinator, including:

  • providing assistance to states and local governments that are using Blue Alert plans;
  • establishing voluntary guidelines for states and local governments to use in developing such plans;
  • developing protocols for efforts to apprehend suspects;
  • working with states to ensure appropriate regional coordination of various elements of the network;
  • establishing an advisory group to assist states, local governments, law enforcement agencies, and other entities in initiating, facilitating, and promoting Blue Alert plans;
  • acting as the nationwide point of contact for the development of the network and the regional coordination of Blue Alerts through the network; and
  • determining what procedures and practices are in use for notifying law enforcement and the public of a Blue Alert and which 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; (2) provide mechanisms that ensure that Blue Alerts comply with all applicable federal, state, and local privacy laws and regulations; and (3) include standards that specifically provide for the protection of the civil liberties of law enforcement officers and their families.

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

Mar 4, 2015

Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu National Blue Alert Act of 2015

Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish a national Blue Alert communications network within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue Blue Alerts through the initiation, facilitation, and promotion of Blue Alert plans for the dissemination of information received as a Blue Alert, in coordination with states, local governments, and law enforcement agencies; and (2) assign an existing DOJ officer to act as the national coordinator of the network.

Defines "Blue Alert" as information sent through the network relating to: (1) the serious injury or death of a law enforcement officer in the line of duty, (2) an officer who is missing in connection with the officer's official duties, or (3) an imminent and credible threat that an individual intends to cause the serious injury or death of a law enforcement officer.

Sets forth the duties of the national coordinator, including:

  • providing assistance to states and local governments that are using Blue Alert plans;
  • establishing voluntary guidelines for states and local governments to use in developing such plans;
  • developing protocols for efforts to apprehend suspects;
  • working with states to ensure appropriate regional coordination of various elements of the network;
  • establishing an advisory group to assist states, local governments, law enforcement agencies, and other entities in initiating, facilitating, and promoting Blue Alert plans;
  • acting as the nationwide point of contact for the development of the network and the regional coordination of Blue Alerts through the network; and
  • determining what procedures and practices are in use for notifying law enforcement and the public of a Blue Alert and which 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; (2) provide mechanisms that ensure that Blue Alerts comply with all applicable federal, state, and local privacy laws and regulations; and (3) include standards that specifically provide for the protection of the civil liberties of law enforcement officers and their families.

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

Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu National Blue Alert Act of 2015 — Informed