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SD 1210

An Act relative to Massachusetts policy and procedures for missing and abducted children

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Pavel Payano

Massachusetts creates a statewide policy and training for missing/abducted children investigations, aligned with NCMEC, with multilingual intake; agencies must adopt by 2027.

House concurred
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Bill Summary · SD 1210

Summary of Senate Bill 1210 (An Act relative to Massachusetts policy and procedures for missing and abducted children)

Overview

  • Bill number and title: SD 1210 / An Act relative to Massachusetts policy and procedures for missing and abducted children
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Status: House concurred
  • Primary sponsor: Pavel M. Payano
  • Legislative context: Filed in the Senate as Senate Docket No. 1210 (Senate No. 1755); similar matter previously filed as S. 1578 in 2023-2024

Purpose and intent

The bill would establish a formal Massachusetts framework for missing and abducted children investigations. Its core aim is to standardize and elevate the policy and procedures that guide law enforcement agencies in the Commonwealth, aligning state practices with national guidance and ensuring inclusive coverage for various categories of missing children and dependent adults with impairments.

Key provisions

1) Creation of a state policy and procedures guide
- The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) must develop a guide titled “Massachusetts policy and procedures for missing and abducted children investigations.”
- The guide will establish comprehensive minimum standards for law enforcement agencies in Massachusetts.
- Agencies must reference and implement the guide in practices and officer training.
- The guide should reference the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) policy and procedures and incorporate comprehensive, inclusive coverage for:
- Children under 10
- Children under 17
- Children with mental and physical limitations
- Dependent adults with mental and physical limitations

2) Training requirements
- The Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) must include:
- A mandatory 2-hour in-service training in the 2026 training year for veteran police officers on Massachusetts missing/abducted children investigations.
- Training on the Massachusetts policy for new officers attending the police academy.
- Ongoing training to be provided in each local police department at least once every three years.

3) Administrative adjustments
- EOPSS must ensure internal policies and the Missing Child Clearinghouse intake form reflect the Massachusetts policy and procedures.
- The Missing Child Clearinghouse intake form must be available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, Russian, German, Albanian, and Khmer/Cambodian.

4) Legal effect and dates
- Section 2: The act takes effect January 15, 2026.
- Section 3: By January 15, 2027, law enforcement agencies in Massachusetts must adopt the Massachusetts policy and procedures as the minimum protocol for missing children investigations.

Affected entities and stakeholders

  • Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS)
  • Massachusetts law enforcement agencies (state and municipal)
  • Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC)
  • Local police departments and police academies
  • Missing Child Clearinghouse
  • Individuals involved in missing/abducted child investigations and training programs
  • Multilingual communities served by the intake form

Implementation and timeline

  • 2026: Mandatory 2-hour training for veteran officers; policy guide finalized and referenceable in agency practices
  • 2027: All law enforcement agencies required to adopt the state policy and procedures as the minimum protocol
  • Ongoing: Training at least every three years and multilingual intake form updates

Potential impact

  • Standardized, statewide approach to missing/abducted children investigations
  • Improved officer training and consistency across agencies
  • Enhanced inclusivity for vulnerable populations (children with disabilities, dependent adults with impairments)
  • Better alignment with national best practices and resources (e.g., NCMEC)
  • Strengthened process for intake and language access through multilingual forms

Note: The summary reflects provisions as written in the bill text provided and does not include any fiscal impact or enforcement mechanisms beyond the adoption timeline.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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