# Federal bill seeks to expand Amber Alert system after teen's death  
**Published:** 2026-06-15T09:00:34.000Z  
**Source:** [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/06/15/repub/after-local-missing-teen-case-indiana-congressman-aims-to-expand-amber-alert-guidelines/)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://lincolne.news/article/federal-bill-seeks-to-expand-amber-alert-system-after-teen-s-death

A [recent proposal from an Indiana congressman](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/06/15/repub/after-local-missing-teen-case-indiana-congressman-aims-to-expand-amber-alert-guidelines/) aims to broaden federal Amber Alert guidelines—a change that could affect how missing children cases are handled nationwide, including in Nebraska.

U.S. House Rep. Rudy Yakym introduced the High-risk Alert Improvement for Locating Endangered Youth Act, known as the HAILEY Act, on June 11. The legislation would allow law enforcement to issue Amber Alerts for all children under 18 believed to be high-risk missing persons, even when abduction cannot be immediately confirmed.

The bill is named after Hailey Buzbee, a 17-year-old from Fishers, Indiana, who disappeared in January and was later found dead in an Ohio forest. Buzbee left home willingly to meet an adult she encountered through online gaming, according to police. Because her disappearance was classified as a runaway case, no Amber Alert was issued, delaying public notification of her situation.

Under current federal standards that also apply in Nebraska, an Amber Alert can only be issued when law enforcement confirms a child has been abducted and is in immediate danger. [Nebraska's Amber Plan requires authorities to confirm the child is 17 or younger and that police have reason to believe the child faces danger of serious bodily harm or death](https://statepatrol.nebraska.gov/services/amber-alert/amber-alert-criteria).

"The system that's supposed to protect kids didn't have a box to put her in," Yakym said in a statement. "That cost her life."

39-year-old Tyler Thomas, a Columbus man authorities say met Buzbee on gaming platforms, has been charged with sexually exploiting a minor and traveling interstate with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. He could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted.

The case has spurred action at the state level as well. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed legislation in April that imposes parental consent requirements and age verification guidelines on social media platforms for children under 16, along with a law strengthening penalties for child exploiters. Ohio lawmakers are also working on measures to restrict online gaming access for minors and expand alert notifications.

Buzbee's parents, Beau and Ronya, have been instrumental in pushing legislative changes in both states and are now working with Yakym to advance the federal bill. "Real change for families like ours—who just want to keep our children safe—is now one step closer," they said in a statement, urging Congress to pass the legislation. The HAILEY Act was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

## Sources

- [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/06/15/repub/after-local-missing-teen-case-indiana-congressman-aims-to-expand-amber-alert-guidelines/)
- [Nebraska State Patrol Amber Alert criteria](https://statepatrol.nebraska.gov/services/amber-alert/amber-alert-criteria)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Nebraska Examiner, enriched with 3 web searches. The original source is available at https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/06/15/repub/after-local-missing-teen-case-indiana-congressman-aims-to-expand-amber-alert-guidelines/.