Inspired by Local Bradenton Mom and Successful Florida Program
WASHINGTON — Yesterday, Congressman Vern Buchanan introduced the To Inform Families First (TIFF) Act (H.R. 6051) to make emergency contact information readily available for law enforcement officers on Americans’ driver’s licenses. Buchanan’s bill would provide federal assistance to state DMVs to create a program to collect emergency contact information for people who sign up for driver’s licenses, as first reported by ABC 7.
Click here or the image above to view the ABC 7 story on Buchanan’s bill.
“No parent should have to endure the pain of not knowing their child has been in a tragic accident,” said Buchanan. “Christine Olson’s story is a heartbreaking reminder that access to contact information can make all the difference in how quickly families are notified when disaster strikes. Her advocacy in creating Florida’s emergency contact program has already helped millions, and it’s time to bring that same life-saving system to every state. My To Inform Families First Act will ensure that law enforcement nationwide has the tools they need to reach loved ones in critical moments.”
Buchanan’s bill is inspired by the story of a local Bradenton mom, Christine Olson, whose daughter Tiffiany was killed by a drunk driver in 2005. Christine was not alerted to Tiffiany’s death for over 6.5 hours, even though the crash happened just 15 minutes from her home.
“When my daughter Tiffiany was killed on impact by a drunk driver, I was not notified for over 6 hours even though the crash happened just 15 minutes from my home, because no program existed for law enforcement to know who to contact quickly in an emergency,” said Christine Olson. “No family should ever have to endure that kind of uncertainty and pain. The To Inform Families First (TIFF) program was created to close that gap, ensuring that, in moments of crisis, loved ones can be reached quickly and compassionately. A national emergency contact registry will improve public safety and preserve family dignity during crises. I am so grateful for Congressman Buchanan and his team for fighting to introduce this critical legislation and bring this program nationwide.”
Christine took to advocate at the state level to establish a voluntary emergency contact program in Florida through founding the To Inform Families First initiative. She pushed for the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and law enforcement agencies to create the nation’s first voluntary Emergency Contact Information program in October 2006. As of August 2025, 21,608,171 Floridians are enrolled in the program. 18 states have since adopted a voluntary emergency contact program.
