Photo Courtesy of Autism Speaks
Avonte Oquendo
By Michael V. Cusenza
Lawmakers and autism advocates last Friday applauded the passage of Kevin and Avonte’s Law, legislation that would improve protections for kids with autism and other conditions, in the House of Representatives.
The bill, which passed by a vote of 346 to 66, is named in part after Avonte Oquendo, the 14-year-old autistic student from Rego Park who could not communicate verbally and died after he wandered from his school in 2013.
Kevin and Avonte’s Law would provide $10 million for tracking devices for children as well initiatives to improve education and training to prevent wandering.
“What happened to Avonte Oquendo was a horrible tragedy that should have never occurred,” said U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing), a cosponsor of the measure. “As a founder and Co-Chair of the Kids Safety Caucus, I believe that we must do everything we can to protect our kids, and this legislation will help prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. As a parent, my heart still aches for Avonte’s family and I continue to keep them in my thoughts and prayers. I thank my colleagues in the House for recognizing the importance of passing this bill.”
Meng had helped to introduce a similar version of the bill in 2014.
The legislation is also named after 9-year-old Kevin Curtis Wills who drowned in the Raccoon River in Iowa in 2008.
Avonte Oquendo’s remains were found along the East River in College Point three months after ran out of his Long Island City school.
