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SPONSOR: |
Smith |
DATE TYPED: |
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HB |
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SHORT TITLE: |
Amber Alert Systems |
SB |
218 |
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ANALYST: |
Fox-Young |
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APPROPRIATION
Appropriation
Contained |
Estimated
Additional Impact |
Recurring or
Non-Rec |
Fund Affected |
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FY03 |
FY04 |
FY03 |
FY04 |
|
|
|
|
|
.1 Minimal |
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|
|
|
|
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(Parenthesis
( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases
Responses
Received From:
Department
of Public Safety (DPS)
State
Highway and Transportation Department (SHTD)
Attorney
General (AG)
Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC)
SUMMARY
Synopsis
of Bill
Senate Bill 218 enacts
the amber alert law, mandating the Department of Public Safety (DPS) develop
and implement an amber alert notification plan.
This plan would effectuate rapid dissemination of information about
child abductions to local law enforcement agencies and citizens around the
state.
Significant Issues
The bill gives DPS the
authority to establish criteria for what constitutes child abduction for purposes
of the amber alert system as well as protocol for implementation of the
system. The bill makes participation of
private media outlets voluntary, and it mandates that DPS work with law
enforcement agencies in bordering states to develop a regional amber alert
system.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
The burden of disseminating emergency information falls on the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and General Services Department (GSD). These agencies will have to draw on existing resources to develop and maintain the amber alert system.
RELATES
Duplicates SB 110.
The bill relates to and partially duplicates HJCS for HB 16 and HB 161. Major differences are:
· HJCS/16 and 161 defines child abduction for purposes of the amber alert system. SB 218 gives DPS the authority to set the criteria for what constitutes child abduction.
· HJCS/16 and 161 provides a criminal penalty for knowing submission of false information resulting in the declaration of an amber alert, making it a petty misdemeanor. SB 218 does not enact a criminal penalty.
·
HJCS/16 and 161 contains an emergency
clause. SB 218 does not.
JCF/sb