PROTECT Act of 2003

President George W. Bush looks toward Lacy Lyons, center, <a href= before signing the PROTECT Act of 2003, in the Rose Garden Wednesday, April 30, 2003. Lacy and her sister were found after an AMBER alert in Florida. Source: The White House Archives" />

"No child should ever have to experience the terror of abduction, or worse. This law marks important progress in the protection of America's children."
Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)
Remarks on Signing the Prosecutorial Remedies and Other Tools to end the Exploitation of Children Today Act of 2003
PDF Details

President George W. Bush greets Tamara Brooks after signing the S. 151, PROTECT Act of 2003, in the Rose Garden Wednesday, April 30, 2003. Brooks, 17, was rescued after an AMBER Alert was issued throughout Orange County, Calif., alerting the community of her abduction.

"PROTECT" is a backronym which stands for "Prosecutorial Remedies and Other Tools to end the Exploitation of Children Today." This act marked important progress in the protection of America's children, and gave law enforcement authorities valuable new tools to prevent, deter, investigate, prosecute and punish violent crimes committed against children as well as strengthening programs, and addressing deficiencies in Federal sentencing policies and practices.
The PROTECT Act codified the previously established National AMBER (America's Missing:Broadcast Emergency Response) Alert Coordinator's role in the Department of Justice, and tasked the Coordinator with facilitating the development of the AMBER network, providing regional coordination and establishing guidance on criteria for issuing an AMBER Alert. Most state guidelines adhere closely to the U.S. Department of Justice's recommended guidelines.
Sources: White House Archives and, AMBER Alert Timeline (Dept. of Justice)

117 Stat. 650 (Public Law 108–21) - Prosecutorial Remedies and Other Tools to end the Exploitation of Children Today Act of 2003
PDF Details

AMBER Alert Statistics

Related Publications

34 U.S.C. 21111 - Establishment of National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction
PDF Details

34 U.S.C. 205 - AMBER Alert
PDF Details

22 U.S.C. 78 - Trafficking Victims Protection
PDF Details

6 U.S.C. 473 - Cyber Crimes Center, Child Exploitation Investigations Unit, Computer Forensics Unit, and Cyber Crimes Unit
PDF Details

120 Stat. 587 - Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (To honor the memory of Adam Walsh and other child crime victims)
PDF Details

117 Stat. 800 (Public Law 108–36) - Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003
PDF Details

114 Stat. 1464 (Public Law 106-386) - Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (Aimee's Law)
PDF Details

Statue Compilation of Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (What's a Statute Compilation?)
PDF Details