46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY; MANDATING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN STATE AND REGIONAL AMBER ALERT SYSTEMS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF AN AMBER ALERT PROGRAM.--

A. The department of public safety shall work with both state and private print, radio, television or other media throughout the state to develop and operate an amber alert system.

B. For purposes of this section, "amber alert" means a system that uses both state and private print, radio, television or other media to alert the members of the public, the state police and local law enforcement agencies in the event of a child abduction.

C. The department of public safety shall set the:

(1) criteria for what constitutes a child abduction for purposes of the amber alert system; and

(2) protocol by which both state and private print, radio, television or other media shall alert the members of the public, the state police and local law enforcement agencies in the event of a child abduction.

D. The participation of private print, radio, television or other media in the amber alert system shall be voluntary.

E. The department of public safety shall work with state law enforcement agencies in the states bordering New Mexico to develop a regional amber alert system.

Section 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2003.