FIRST REGULAR SESSION
94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES BRUNS (Sponsor), FISHER, SCHAAF, McGHEE, RUESTMAN, PORTWOOD AND WILDBERGER (Co-sponsors).
Read 1st time January 4, 2007 and copies ordered printed.
D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To repeal section 210.1012, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to the Amber alert system, with a penalty provision.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Section 210.1012, RSMo, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 210.1012, to read as follows:
210.1012. 1. There is hereby created a statewide program called the "Amber Alert System" referred to in this section as the "system" to aid in the identification and location of abducted [persons] children.
2. For the purposes of this section, "abducted [person] child" means a [person] child whose whereabouts are unknown and who is:
(1) Reasonably believed to be the victim of the crime of kidnapping as defined by section [565.110] 565.115, RSMo, as determined by local law enforcement; or
(2) Less than eighteen years of age and at least fourteen years of age, and who, if under fourteen years of age, would otherwise be reasonably believed to be a victim of child kidnapping as defined in section 565.115, RSMo, as determined by local law enforcement.
3. The department of public safety shall develop regions to provide the system. The department of public safety shall coordinate local law enforcement agencies and public commercial television and radio broadcasters to provide an effective system. In the event that a local law enforcement agency opts not to set up a system and an abduction occurs within the jurisdiction, it shall notify the department of public safety who will notify local media in the region.
4. The Amber alert system shall include all state agencies capable of providing urgent and timely information to the public together with broadcasters and other private entities that volunteer to participate in the dissemination of urgent public information. At a minimum, the Amber alert system shall include the department of public safety, highway patrol, department of transportation, department of health and senior services, and Missouri lottery.
5. The department of public safety shall have the authority to notify other regions upon verification that the criteria established by the oversight committee has been met.
6. Participation in an Amber alert system is entirely at the option of local law enforcement agencies and federally licensed radio and television broadcasters.
7. Any person who knowingly makes a false report that triggers an alert pursuant to this section is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
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