Whereas, The National PTA promotes the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship; and
Whereas, The problem of child abduction is a serious national problem; and
Whereas, Parents often do not have enough information to help law enforcement identify the missing child; and
Whereas, The Congress of the United States passed the Missing Children’s Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2023 which renews the Missing Children’s Assistance Act (MCAA) and makes critical updates to help the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) better respond to crimes affecting children, support youth who are missing, and prevent child sexual exploitation and victimization; and
Whereas, The fastest and most accurate form of identification is the fingerprint; now therefore be it
Resolved, That the National PTA urge fingerprinting of children with the consent of a parent and/or guardian, and in cooperation with local law enforcement; and be it further
Resolved, That National PTA urge adherence to the official Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) fingerprinting guidelines and that the fingerprinting records be given to the parent and/or guardian for safekeeping and privacy; and be it further
Resolved, That the National PTA through its constituent associations encourage parents and/or guardians to participate in this program; and be it further
Resolved, That this resolution shall be in full force and effect until the last day of June 2033.
Adopted: by the 1983 Convention delegates
Revised: by the 1993 and 1998 Convention Resolutions Committee
Amended: by the 2026 Convention delegates