AMBER Alert State Legislation

California - (AB 415) Establishes criteria for every law-enforcement agency in California to follow when requesting activation of the Amber Alert System after verifying a child has been abducted. Requires local law-enforcement jurisdictions to request activation of the California Child Safety Amber Network within an appropriate local area when an abduction occurs. September 13, 2002

Colorado - (HB 1083) Permits the local law-enforcement agency to notify the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the event of a child abduction and requires the CBI to confirm the accuracy of the information and issue the alert to the public via the state emergency alert system. April 1, 2002

Connecticut - (HB 5072) Immunizes radio and television stations and cable system from civil liability for damages when they broadcast information concerning abducted children and their suspected abductors pursuant to the Amber Plan. June 18, 2003

Idaho - (HB 247) Amends existing law to provide for the civil immunity of radio and television broadcasting organizations participating in the Amber Alert System. March 17, 2003

Illinois - (HB 643) Mandates that the Department of State Police develop a coordinated program for a statewide emergency alert system when a child is missing or kidnapped. August 7, 2001
(HB 345) - Establishes program requirements for the statewide child abduction emergency alert system of the Department of State Police. Requires the Department of State Police and the Department of Transportation to coordinate in the use of electronic highway message signs to convey abduction information. Requires the Department of State Police to establish a task force to monitor and review implementation and operation. July 23, 2003

Indiana - (SB 20) Allows the missing-child clearinghouse to work with radio and television stations to establish an abducted-child alert system the Amber Alert Program; requires the State Police Department to adopt guidelines governing the Amber Alert Program. March 20, 2002
(SB 203) Provides civil immunity for a broadcaster that participates in the Amber alert program and broadcasts the contents of an Amber alert notification it has received from the state police. May 1, 2003
(SB 257) An ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning state police, civil defense and military affairs. April 14, 2003

Kentucky - (HB 36) Requires the State Police to implement an Amber Alert System to broadcast information related to abductions of children; outlines specific requirements for system alerts; provides for operation of system with existing budget. March 12, 2003

Louisiana - - (SB 40) Rescinds confidentiality provisions regarding juvenile crime victims of the purposes of the AMBER Alert network, or similar child abduction alert system. May 5, 2003
(SB 691) Exempts from liability certain participants of the Amber Alert program; exempts state and local law enforcement, radio, television and cable operators, the Lottery Corporation and associations and foundations engaged in the Amber Alert effort. May 23, 2003
(SB 686) Provides a mechanism for the utilization of lottery terminals to display Amber Alert notifications and other abductions or state or national emergencies. June 5, 2003

Michigan - (HR 555) Proclaims and recognizes the first week in September as AMBER Alert Week in Michigan. September 24, 2002
(HB 6444) Requires that the department of state establish and maintain the Michigan AMBER Alert plan. December 30, 2002
(HB 6445) Grants immunity of liability to radio and television stations that accurately broadcasters information concerning a child abduction obtained from the Michigan state police. December 30, 2002
(HR 66) - Urges the Michigan Lottery Bureau to join the AMBER Alert system. June 17, 2003

Minnesota - (HB 628) Relates to civil actions; limits liability for public notification of emergency through radio, television, cable television, the Emergency Alert System, the Amber Alert system, or a notification requested by a government entity. May 20, 2003

Nevada - (AB 322) Creates a Statewide Alert System for the Safe Return of Abducted Children. May 6, 2003

New Jersey - (AB 1558) The "Amber Plan" will establish voluntary cooperation between state and local law enforcement and the broadcast media. After receiving notice from the state police, the broadcast media would transmit an emergency alert to inform the public of a child abduction in the area. December 20, 2002

New Mexico - (HB 16) Requires the state police to establish statewide AMBER Plan protocol and distribute to local agencies. It also penalizes those who knowingly submit false information that results in the declaration of an AMBER Alert. Similar legislation has already passed in the Senate. April 1, 2003

New York - (SB 7172) Calls for the development of a model missing child response plan. Enables the creation a model abduction response and notification plan that will assist local law enforcement and communities in immediately responding to a report of a missing child. Enables missing children reports to be provided to broadcast media outlets so public assistance and awareness can be facilitated within minutes after an abduction. August 13, 2002

North Carolina - (SB 1115) An act to modify the current operations appropriations act of 2001 and to make other changes in the budget operation of the state. SECTION 18.7.(a) G.S. 143B-499.1: The North Carolina Center for Missing Persons will develop and maintain the North Carolina Child Alert Notification System (NC CAN) September 30, 2002
(HB 478) Amends the law regarding the North Carolina Child Alert Notification (NC CAN) system to renames that system the AMBER Alert system. June 12, 2003

Ohio - (SB 290) Creates the Statewide Emergency Alert Program to aid in the identification and location of abducted children; establishes activation criteria for the implementation of the program; and creates an Amber Alert Advisory Committee. January 8, 2003

Oklahoma - (HR 1002) States legislative intent for implementation of the Amber Plan by installing electronic billboards at all interstate entrances to the State; directs distribution. February 24, 2003

Oregon - (SB 8) Directs Department of State Police to work with law enforcement agencies, Department of Transportation and media to implement state Amber plan. June 12, 2003

Rhode Island - (HB 5015) Requires the state police to develop an emergency alert plan to expedite the safe recovery of abducted children.

Texas - (HB 1401) Relates to the implementation of Amber Alert or another system for publicly disseminating emergency information about abducted children by the Texas Lottery Commission. June 20, 2003
(SB 57) An act relating to the creation of a statewide alert system for abducted children. June 20, 2003

Vermont – (HB 28) Proposes to establish an Amber alert program within the department of public safety; requires the department to issue alerts concerning abducted children throughout the state emergency alert system; proposes that alerts be broadcast over participating television and radio stations. May 22, 2003
(HB 464) Omnibus Appropriations Bill. Sec 52(d). The lottery commission shall explore the feasibility of printing Amber Alert information on the back of lottery tickets. June 18, 2003

Virginia - (SB 1204) Requires state buildings open to the public to have a Code Adam program to lock down buildings where a child has been lost or possibly abducted. Also establishes the voluntary AMBER Alert Program to notify the public when a child is abducted. March 16, 2003

West Virginia - (HB 2910) Relates to the establishment of an Amber alert System to be utilized to rapidly disseminate information with regard to abducted and missing children. March 18, 2003