HCS SS SCS SB 30 -- AMBER ALERT

SPONSOR:  Gross (Schneider)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Children
and Families by a vote of 13 to 0.

This substitute creates the Amber Alert System to aid in the
identification and location of abducted persons.  An abducted
person is one whose whereabouts are unknown and who is reasonably
believed to be a victim of kidnaping.  The Department of Public
Safety will develop regions within the state for the program and
will coordinate the program with local law enforcement agencies
and broadcasters in each region.  Participation in the system is
optional for local law enforcement agencies and federally
licensed radio and television broadcasters.  If a local law
enforcement agency decides not to participate and an abduction
occurs in the jurisdiction, the local agency will notify the
department, which will notify local media in the region.

The substitute requires the Amber Alert System to include all
state agencies capable of providing information to the public, as
well as broadcasters and other entities who volunteer to
disseminate urgent public information.  The department has the
authority to notify other regions upon verification that the
criteria established by the Amber Alert System Oversight
Committee have been met.  Making a false report of an abduction
that results in an alert is a class A misdemeanor.

The substitute also establishes the Amber Alert System Oversight
Committee within the department to develop criteria and
procedures for the Amber Alert System.  The substitute specifies
the members of the oversight committee.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost to General Revenue Fund of
$8,180 in FY 2004, $0 in FY 2005, and $0 in FY 2006.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the substitute creates an
effective and efficient system for abduction alerts.  It also
coordinates existing local plans.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Gross; Missouri Broadcasters
Association; and Missouri Police Chiefs' Association.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Amy Woods, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:13 am