U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) on Aug. 6 introduced bipartisan legislation to authorize federal grant funds for child DNA identification kits that could be used at home. 

“When a child goes missing, every second counts in the search to bring them home,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick, a former FBI agent. “Having the necessary DNA samples ready on standby allows law enforcement to spend their time tracking down a child’s location, not their fingerprints.”

Rep. Fitzpatrick cosponsored the National Child Identification Act, H.R. 4172, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) to encourage parents and guardians to collect and store their children’s DNA samples at home. 

“I am proud to introduce this legislation with Congressman Norcross to give parents and law enforcement the tools they need to protect our nation’s kids,” Rep. Fitzpatrick said.

If enacted, H.R. 4172 would authorize grant funding from the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 to be used to provide for the at-home child identification kits, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Fitzpatrick’s office.

H.R. 4172 would expand upon an existing initiative, the National Child Identification Program, a community-service initiative that partners with labor organizations, NFL teams, businesses, and law enforcement to provide parents and guardians with child identification kits. The program was originally recognized by Congress in 2001. 

The AFL-CIO recently endorsed H.R. 4172, which has been referred to the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee for consideration.