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Bill

Bill

A 3491

Provides for a formal process for a parent or legal guardian to request the issuance of an AMBER alert

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Marianne Buttenschon and 4 co-sponsors

Bill A 3491 allows parents to formally request AMBER alerts for abducted children, enhancing collaboration with law enforcement to improve recovery chances.

REFERRED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
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Bill Summary · A 3491

Summary of Bill A 3491

Bill Number: A 3491
Title: Provides for a formal process for a parent or legal guardian to request the issuance of an AMBER alert
Status: Referred to Children and Families
Introduced: January 28, 2025
Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

Bill A 3491 aims to establish a formalized procedure that allows parents or legal guardians to request the issuance of an AMBER alert when a child is believed to be abducted. The intent of this legislation is to streamline the process for alerting law enforcement and the public, thereby enhancing the chances of a swift recovery of abducted children.

Key Provisions

  • Formal Request Process: The bill outlines a clear procedure for parents or guardians to follow when they suspect their child has been abducted. This includes specific criteria that must be met for an AMBER alert to be issued.

  • Criteria for Issuance: The legislation specifies the conditions under which an AMBER alert can be activated, ensuring that alerts are issued only in appropriate situations to prevent misuse.

  • Collaboration with Law Enforcement: The bill emphasizes the importance of collaboration between parents/guardians and law enforcement agencies to ensure timely and effective responses to abduction cases.

  • Public Awareness Campaign: The bill may include provisions for public education on the AMBER alert system, aiming to inform citizens about the importance of their role in responding to alerts.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Parents and Legal Guardians: The primary beneficiaries of this bill are parents and legal guardians of children, who will have a more structured way to initiate an AMBER alert.

  • Law Enforcement Agencies: Police and other law enforcement entities will be directly involved in the implementation of the alert system, requiring training and resources to handle requests effectively.

  • General Public: The public will be impacted as they will receive alerts more efficiently, potentially increasing community involvement in locating abducted children.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Current Status: As of January 28, 2025, the bill has been referred to the Children and Families Committee for further consideration.

  • Related Legislation: This bill is related to prior-session Bill A 8208 and has a companion bill, S 5699, which may provide additional context or support for its provisions.

Conclusion

Bill A 3491 represents a significant step towards improving the response to child abductions by formalizing the process for AMBER alert requests. By establishing clear guidelines and enhancing collaboration between parents and law enforcement, the bill aims to protect children and facilitate their safe return in abduction scenarios.

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

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