The Senate has passed the TRACE Act, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Alex Padilla (D-CA). The legislation would require the U.S. Department of Justice to add a new category to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons Systems (NamUs) database for cases where individuals went missing or were identified on federal land or territorial waters. This addition aims to allow both the public and law enforcement agencies to specify location details for such cases.
Under the bill, the Department of Justice would also be required to submit an annual report to Congress detailing the number of persons who went missing or were suspected of going missing on public lands or territorial waters in the previous year. The intention is that families and friends will more easily find and enter relevant information into NamUs, while law enforcement can improve national records concerning people missing on public lands.
Senator Tillis said, “Every year, people go missing on public lands without being recorded in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. This oversight is impeding law enforcement from keeping track of those who go missing to help search and rescue efforts. I applaud the Senate for passing this bipartisan, bicameral legislation so these cases can be added to the database and potentially save hundreds of lives in the future, and I urge my colleagues in the House to swiftly pass this critical legislation to ensure no missing person falls through the cracks.”
Senator Padilla stated, “For too long, law enforcement officials have faced unnecessary barriers in tracking down people who go missing on federal lands. The Senate’s passage of the TRACE Act brings us one step closer to saving lives and bringing peace of mind to affected families. I’m committed to working with my colleagues across the aisle to make sure this bill is signed into law.”
According to NamUs reports, over 600,000 people are reported missing each year in the United States; most are found but tens of thousands remain unaccounted for annually. There are about 640 million acres of federal land nationwide—including national parks and forests—where at least 1,600 people have gone missing based on estimates; however, experts believe this figure could be higher due to challenging terrain that complicates searches.
Currently there is no dedicated system for reporting individuals who disappear on public lands. Accurate data collection is seen as essential for aiding search operations and resolving outstanding cases.
NamUs serves as a central platform used by law enforcement agencies, families, medical examiners, coroners, and members of the public for reporting unidentified remains or missing persons.
The TRACE Act has received endorsements from several organizations including Public Lands Solution, Jewish Women’s Institute, Major County Sheriffs Association, Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA), NDAA, Raven, National Association to End Sexual Violence, and Outdoor Industry Association.
Thom Tillis previously won North Carolina’s U.S. Senate seat against Cal Cunningham in 2020 with 48.7% of votes compared with Cunningham’s 46.9%. In 2014 he defeated Kay Hagan with 48.8% over Hagan’s 47.3%.
The full text of the bill can be accessed HERE.
