Schumer Bill Calls for Tracking Program for Children with Autism

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-NY, unveiled legislation this past weekend that would enable law enforcement agencies to track children with autism.

On Sunday, Schumer introduced “Avonte’s Law,” which is named after Avonte Oquendo, a 14-year autistic Rego Park youth who went missing in early October 2013, leading to a massive search that culminated earlier this month after police found the teen’s remains on the College Point shoreline.

Oquendo’s funeral was held this past weekend in Manhattan, drawing hundreds of attendees.

Under Schumer’s bill, GPS devices could be placed on the belts, shoelaces or wristwatches of children with autism.

The voluntary program would be paid for by the U.S. Department of Justice and operated by local police departments.

Schumer said the program would cost an estimated $10 million.

“We know how to do it, we’ve seen it done before – it works,” he told NY 1. “All that’s standing in the way is funding. Most people can’t afford it or don’t know about it.”