- Committee -

SCS/SB 30 - This act creates a statewide alert system to be activated in the event a person is abducted.

STATEWIDE MISSOURI ALERT SYSTEM - The Department of Public Safety (DPS) shall develop a program whereby the state will be divided into regions. These regions are a coordinated effort between local law enforcement agencies and local media within the region. If a local entity does not have an alert system in place, DPS will notify local media in their region, who by prearranged plan will issue an alert.

In the event that there is credible evidence that an abduction suspect has traveled or is traveling out of one Missouri Alert jurisdiction, DPS will coordinate the activation of other Missouri Alerts in the vicinity where the abductor is thought to be heading.

EXISTING LOCAL PROGRAMS - Currently existing alert programs operating as of January 1, 2004, will be exempted. This will give local jurisdictions about a year to develop their own programs.

Local programs coming online after January 1, 2004, will need to conform with the following standards: (a) will only be activated in cases where there is a credible threat of serious bodily injury or death; (b) will not be activated in custodial disputes unless there is the credible threat of serious bodily injury or death; and (c) there are sufficient details as to the abduction as to make the activation of the system useful.

Participation in a Missouri Alert Program is entirely at the option of the local law enforcement agency and media.

ALERT MISSOURI SYSTEM OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE - The act establishes an oversight committee who will be responsible for the development of criteria and procedures for the Alert Missouri system. The oversight Committee will be housed in the Department of Public Safety.

The oversight committee will be chaired by the Director of Public Safety. Other members will be appointed by the Governor with advice and consent of the Senate and will serve staggered four year terms. The members appointed by the Governor shall include the following representatives: 2 from the Missouri Sheriff's Association; 2 from the Missouri Police Chief's Association; 1 large market radio broadcaster; 1 small market radio broadcaster; 1 television broadcaster; and 1 representative from each Alert Missouri region. Members shall not be compensated except for actual and necessary expenses.

CINDY KADLEC