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Bill

Bill

A 1964

Codifies AG recommendations for issuing Amber Alert when family member abducts child.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Annette Quijano

The bill codifies Amber Alert criteria for family-abductions, adding 12 risk factors and mandatory training to trigger alerts when a child’s safety is at risk.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee
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Bill Summary · A 1964

Summary of Bill A 1964 (Session 222, New Jersey)

Purpose and Intent

This bill codifies the Attorney General’s recommendations for when an Amber Alert should be issued in cases where a child is abducted by a family member. It builds on the existing Amber Alert framework established in law (Amber’s Plan) and responds to past gaps in guidance by explicitly outlining the criteria law enforcement must consider before activating an Amber Alert in familial abductions. The measure is framed as a public safety reform to improve timely alerts and public awareness in high-risk abduction scenarios.

Key Provisions

  • Codification of Amber’s Plan criteria for family-abduction cases:

    • Authorities must evaluate, before activating Amber Alert, whether: 1) The child is believed abducted. 2) The child is 17 years old or younger. 3) The child may be in danger of death or serious bodily harm. 4) There is reasonable belief that an Amber Alert would assist location of the child, considering available descriptive information and time elapsed.
    • If the abduction is by a stranger, the child is deemed at great risk of physical harm.

  • Expanded criteria for family-member abductions:

    • A detailed list of 12 risk factors to consider, including:
    • Threats of harm by the abductor.
    • History of violence against the child or other children.
    • Use or threat of violence during abduction and immediate risk of harm.
    • Family history of domestic violence, child abuse, custody disputes, or past abductions.
    • Abductor’s history of violence, weapons offenses, or belief they are armed.
    • Impairment by alcohol or drugs, substance abuse history, or mental illness.
    • Irrational or destabilizing behavior by the abductor.
    • Pre-existing medical or health conditions of child or abductor that could affect welfare.
    • Any other circumstances suggesting potential harm to the child.
    • All appropriate law enforcement personnel (including 9-1-1 operators) must be trained to implement these criteria.

  • Operational and broadcast protocol:

    • Participating media must voluntarily transmit Amber Alerts upon notice from the State Police, within their broadcast regions.
    • Alerts start with a distinctive tone and the phrase: “This is an Amber Abducted Child Alert,” and should be broadcast as often as possible for the first three hours, then at the discretion of investigators.
    • Alerts must include available information about the child, abduction, abductor, and how the public can report information.
    • State Police must keep the information current and update the media as new details emerge.
    • Transportation agencies (Department of Transportation, NJ Turnpike Authority, South Jersey Transportation Authority) must notify motorists via variable message signs when an Amber Alert is active.

  • Public education and social media dissemination:

    • The Attorney General, with media cooperation, must conduct a public education campaign about Amber’s Plan.
    • Develop a plan to disseminate Amber Alert information via State Police social media, including photographs and descriptions, with broader dissemination by Governor’s Office and state agencies as appropriate.

  • Administrative provisions:

    • The Attorney General may adopt implementing guidelines to effectuate the bill’s purposes.
    • The act takes effect on the first day of the second month after enactment.

Affected Parties

  • Primary: State Police, the Attorney General, local law enforcement, and broadcast and other media partners participating in Amber Alerts.
  • Indirect: Public safety communications networks, New Jersey Department of Transportation and toll authorities, and state social media channels for Amber Alert dissemination.
  • General public, through enhanced alertability and public education.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective date: First day of the second month after enactment.
  • Ongoing duties include training of law enforcement and 9-1-1 operators, and annual or ongoing public education and media coordination.
  • The bill codifies guidelines that were previously advisory, aligning practice with the Attorney General’s 2010 recommendations following a high-profile familial-abduction tragedy.

Sponsors: Including Annette Quijano (co-sponsor). Introduced January 13, 2026, in Assembly Judiciary Committee.

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

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