SB 265 - This act establishes the "Blue Alert System" to aid in the identification, location, and apprehension of any individual or individuals suspected of killing or seriously injuring any local, state, or federal law enforcement officer. The Department of Public Safety will coordinate with local law enforcement agencies and public commercial television and radio broadcasters to effectively implement the system. Participation is entirely optional for local law enforcement agencies and federally licensed radio and television broadcasters, but the program will include at least: the Department of Public Safety, Highway Patrol, Department of Transportation, and Missouri Lottery. Knowingly making a false report that triggers an alert is a Class A misdemeanor. The act also establishes the Blue Alert System Oversight Committee, which will develop criteria and procedures for the "Blue Alert System". The committee will be housed in the Department of Public Safety. The act specifies how many members the committee will have, what entities will be represented, and the length of the terms members will serve.
This act is similar to HB 228 (2017) and similar to a provision of SS/SCS/HCS/HBs 302 & 228 (2017), a provision of CCS/HCS/SS/SB 34 (2017), and a provision of SCS/SB 46 (2017).
JOHN GRANA