NORWICH – New York State Senator Charles Schumer is pushing for federal legislation that he says would make it easier for local law enforcement to solve missing children investigations by increasing communications among enforcement agencies across the country.

Schumer made his case Thursday in a call for U.S. Congress to pass the “Bringing Missing Children Home Act,” legislation that would open up the National Crime Information Center to law enforcement to access files and records helpful in locating missing children. The legislation would further require prompter action from law enforcement officials to provide key information for those files, including photos and medical and dental records.

According to Schumer, his proposal would help local and state law enforcement quickly report on, update, and respond to missing children cases throughout the state.

“With over 10,000 children reported missing from Upstate New york communities each year, the time is now to improve the national missing children system, its accuracy and functionality, and the availability of critical information to all levels of law enforcement,” said Schumer. “As the current system stands, the federal government is tying on hand behind the backs of the hard-working and highly-skilled law enforcement and missing children units that dedicate their lives to bringing home our children.”