210.1012. Amber alert system created--department to develop system regions--false report, penalty. - Missouri Statutes

Amber alert system created--department to develop systemregions--false report, penalty.

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 inthe identification and location of an abducted child.

2. For the purposes of this section, "abducted child" means a childwhose whereabouts are unknown and who is:

(1) Less than eighteen years of age and reasonably believed to be thevictim of the crime of kidnapping as defined by section 565.110, RSMo, asdetermined by local law enforcement;

(2) Reasonably believed to be the victim of the crime of childkidnapping as defined by section 565.115, RSMo, as determined by local lawenforcement; or

(3) Less than eighteen years of age and at least fourteen years ofage and who, if under the age of fourteen, would otherwise be reasonablybelieved to be a victim of child kidnapping as defined by section 565.115,RSMo, as determined by local law enforcement.

3. The department of public safety shall develop regions to providethe system. The department of public safety shall coordinate local lawenforcement agencies and public commercial television and radiobroadcasters to provide an effective system. In the event that a local lawenforcement agency opts not to set up a system and an abduction occurswithin the jurisdiction, it shall notify the department of public safetywho will notify local media in the region.

4. The Amber alert system shall include all state agencies capable ofproviding urgent and timely information to the public together withbroadcasters and other private entities that volunteer to participate inthe dissemination of urgent public information. At a minimum, the Amberalert system shall include the department of public safety, highway patrol,department of transportation, department of health and senior services, andMissouri lottery.

5. The department of public safety shall have the authority to notifyother regions upon verification that the criteria established by theoversight committee has been met.

6. Participation in an Amber alert system is entirely at the optionof local law enforcement agencies and federally licensed radio andtelevision broadcasters.

7. Any person who knowingly makes a false report that triggers analert pursuant to this section is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

(L. 2003 H.B. 185 merged with S.B. 30, A.L. 2007 S.B. 84)