Autism Tracking

From Disability Scoop:

"Autism Tracking Device Bill Clears House"

                        

Legislation that would provide tracking devices and resources to help kids with autism and other developmental disabilities at risk of wandering is one step closer to becoming federal law. The U.S. House of Representatives voted 346 to 66 Thursday to pass the measure known as Kevin and Avonte’s Law. The bill would expand an existing program that helps people with Alzheimer’s disease who are prone to bolting to include children with developmental disabilities too.  Approval came one week after the legislation was nearly derailed. Privacy concerns from conservatives led the House Judiciary Committee to postpone a planned markup with little time remaining before the end of the current Congress. In light of the concerns, language was added to the bill indicating that tracking devices would be “non-invasive and non-permanent” and that “the procedure to install the technology or device does not create an external or internal marker or implant a device or other trackable items.” Research shows that about half of kids on the spectrum have wandered away from a safe place and advocates point to more than 100 deaths stemming from wandering incidents since 2011 involving children with autism or Down syndrome. The legislation would provide the U.S. Department of Justice with $2 million annually to issue grants to law enforcement agencies across the country for tracking devices, training and other resources to address wandering. Families could request wearable tracking devices from participating law enforcement agencies which would not be actively monitored, but could be used to locate a child who is reported missing, advocates said. The legislation strictly forbids the use of such technology if an individual objects. “This will save lives,” the bill’s chief sponsor, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., said on the House floor. “Wandering is a serious problem. We want to get our loved ones, find our loved ones who have developmental disabilities or have Alzheimer’s and make sure that they get back to a safe and secure environment as quickly as possible.” Even with House passage, however, the bill is not a done deal. The U.S. Senate already approved a version of the legislation by unanimous consent in July, but the measure now heads back to that chamber for reconsideration due to differences in the House bill.

^ When you first hear about this (the Federal Government tracking people with Autism) you go right to "Big Brother" watching and controlling us. Then when you read more about it you realized that it is not mandatory. The family or caregiver of a person with Autism has to ask their local law enforcement for the tracking device. Also, the device is not permanent or an implant. This isn't "1984" but about trying to keep people safe. I worked at an overnight summer camp for the mentally and physically disabled for four summers and we had campers that would wander or even "run" away. It was especially dangerous at night when there were only 2 counselors in a cabin (one by each door) and we had times when campers wandered into the woods at night. It was dangerous for everyone involved. If a person (regardless of their disability) tends to wander than they should have the option to wear a tracking device. It could save their life. ^

https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2016/12/09/autism-tracking-device-bill-house/23109/