WASHINGTON — In missing persons cases, every second is important. As the minutes and hours tick by, they could be the difference between life and death.

For people with intellectual disabilities, these seconds are even more precious.

U.S. Rep. Mark Alford, R-Mo. and U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., have filed a bill in the House of Representatives to improve federal systems to aid with the location of missing persons with intellectual disabilities. Their bill mirrors a bill sponsored by U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., in the Senate.

According to the FBI’s National Crime Information Center, nearly 28,000 people with physical or intellectual disabilities were reported missing last year. However, current missing persons protocols do not account for the increased needs that searches for people with intellectual disabilities require.

“People with Alzheimer’s or dementia or developmental disabilities need even more immediate attention to their cases when they go missing,” Alford said.

“Every minute matters when it comes to missing persons, and our laws need to reflect that,” he added.

For Schmitt, the bill takes a more personal note, as his son, Stephen, is autistic and nonverbal. He has often cited his son as the reason he got into politics.

“As the father of a child living with disabilities, this issue is deeply personal to me,” Schmitt said in a statement. “I am proud to sponsor this legislation to protect individuals with disabilities and reunite families.”

The bill, known as “Enhanced Alerts for Missing Loved Ones with Disabilities Act of 2026,” amends an existing system, which allows the U.S. Attorney General to provide grants to law enforcement to assist in locating missing adults. The addition would expand the definition of “healthcare needs” to include intellectual disabilities such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

It also amends the PROTECT Act to direct states to provide specialized training in the case of intellectual disabilities. Individual training and protocols would be up to states’ discretion.

“We don’t want to override state systems,” Alford said. “This will give them the resources, the training, the availability and the money they need to make sure this happens.”

Before going through Appropriations Committee hearings, it is unclear how much the bill would cost.

The Congressmen said they were inspired by legislation that came out of the Missouri legislature. House Bill 1840, sponsored by state Rep. Sherri Gallick, R-Belton, is also known as “RJ’s law” and establishes a “Purple Alert” system in the state that is specific for missing persons with intellectual disabilities.

Gov. Mike Kehoe signed the bill into law Monday. Missouri is now the seventh state in the nation to enact such legislation, joining Florida, Kansas, Mississippi, Maryland, West Virginia and Connecticut.

The federal legislation still has a long way to go. Introduced in June, it must undergo committee scrutiny and revisions before it can be considered by the House and Senate.

Alford, however, said he has faith the bill will gain traction on both sides of the aisle. He anticipates minimal opposition, and thinks the measure could pass the House on a voice vote.

“I think this is one of those (bills) that the vast majority, whether Republican or Democrat, are going to realize that this is something we need on a nationwide basis,” Alford said.

The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee but has not yet been placed on the committee’s schedule. Due to the August recess, it will not go before the committee until the fall.