OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A growing number of missing and murdered Native American women are the focus of a Washington bill signed into law Wednesday amid concerns the victims’ cases are slipping between jurisdictional gaps.

Taking aim at confusion stemming from overlapping law enforcement boundaries and other factors, the bill creates a pair of liaison positions within the state patrol and requires the agency to develop best practices for handling the cases.

Gov. Inslee signed the bill accompanied by banging drums and a loud cheer.

The measure comes amid growing national awareness of the disproportionate rates of Native American women who are victims of sexual assault, and concerns over a growing number of missing person cases in tribal communities.

A report from the Urban Indian Health Institute ranked Washington second among states by number of cases overall.

The report identified some 500 missing persons and homicide cases involving Native American women in 71 cities.