# 114-hr-4253: Avonte's Law Act of 2015

114-hr-4253, Avonte's Law Act of 2015, is a 114th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Hastings, Alcee L. [D-FL-20] (D-FL); status Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. (as of 2025-11-18).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-4253
- As of: 2025-11-18
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 114-hr-4253
- Congress: 114
- Title: Avonte's Law Act of 2015
- Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
- Introduced: 2015-12-15
- Sponsor: Rep. Hastings, Alcee L. [D-FL-20] (D-FL)
- Cosponsors: 9
- Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2025-11-18

## Summary

Avonte's Law Act of 2015 This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make grants to law enforcement agencies to: (1) reduce the risk of injury and death relating to the wandering characteristics of some individuals with autism and other disabilities, and (2) safeguard the well-being of individuals with disabilities during interactions with law enforcement. It requires grant awards to be used to: (1) provide education and resources to law enforcement agencies, first responders, schools, clinicians, and the public in order to reduce the risk of wandering by such individuals, help to identify signs of abuse in such individuals, increase their personal safety and survival skills, and facilitate effective communication with individuals who have communication-related disabilities; (2) provide training and emergency protocols for school administrators, staff, and families; (3) provide response tools and training for law enforcement and search-and-rescue agencies, including tracking technology; or (4) provide response tools and training to law enforcement agencies in order to recognize and respond to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. DOJ must establish standards and best practices relating to the use of tracking technology to monitor children with autism and other disabilities. It requires each law enforcement agency that receives a grant to comply with any such standards and best practices.

## Cosponsors (9)

- Rep. Johnson, Eddie Bernice [D-TX-30] (D-TX), 2015-12-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-7] (D-AZ), 2015-12-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Murphy, Patrick [D-FL-18] (D-FL), 2015-12-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4] (D-GA), 2015-12-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD] (D-MD), 2015-12-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Vela, Filemon [D-TX-34] (D-TX), 2015-12-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7] (D-IL), 2015-12-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lowenthal, Alan S. [D-CA-47] (D-CA), 2016-02-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50] (D-CA), 2016-03-17T00:00:00.000Z

## Related bills

- 114-hr-5044: Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2016 to respond to Zika virus.
- 114-hr-4592: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act
- 114-hr-4521: Lake Berryessa Recreation Enhancement Act of 2016
- 114-hr-4479: Families of Flint Act
- 114-hr-3308: Seniors Have Eyes, Ears, and Teeth Act
- 114-hr-3268: PAST Act

## Sources
- [114-hr-4253 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/4253)

## Related
- [114-hr-5044: Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2016 to respond to Zika viru…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-5044)
- [114-hr-4592: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-4592)
- [114-hr-4521: Lake Berryessa Recreation Enhancement Act of 2016](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-4521)
- [114-hr-4479: Families of Flint Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-4479)
- [114-hr-3308: Seniors Have Eyes, Ears, and Teeth Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-3308)
- [114-hr-3268: PAST Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-3268)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-4253 (as of 2025-11-18).