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New Bill Honoring Jefferson Boy Introduced This Week

A new bill introduced to the legislature on Tuesday night is named in honor of a Jefferson boy. Senators Chuck Grassley and Chuck Schumer of New York championed Kevin and Avonte’s Law, which will reauthorize the expired Missing Alzheimer’s Disease Patient Alert Program and will be expanded to include and support people with autism or other related conditions that may cause them to wander from their caregivers. Kevin Curtis Wills of Jefferson was nine-years old when he wandered from home and jumped into the Raccoon River near a park and tragically drowned in 2008. Avonte Oquendo was 14 when he wandered from school and drowned in New York City’s East River in 2014. Senate Judiciary Chairman, Grassley, told legislators that Kevin and Avonte’s Law will use concepts similar to that of the Amber Alert program to help locate individuals at risk. It will also make resources available to equip first responders and other community officials with the training necessary to better prevent and respond to these cases. The bill will allow Justice Department grants to be used by state and local law enforcement agencies and nonprofits for education and training programs. Grant funding may also be used to establish or enhance notification and communications systems for recovery of missing children with autism.

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