JWW H.B. 1153 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


PUBLIC SAFETY
H.B. 1153
By: Wise
5-8-97
Committee Report (Amended)



BACKGROUND 

Currently, the Missing Children and Missing Persons Information
Clearinghouse maintains and collects information on missing children and
missing persons.  This information is to be made available statewide.  The
clearinghouse is required to coordinate with the National Crime
Information Center to exchange information on missing children and missing
persons.  A statewide toll-free telephone number is provided to report and
receive information on missing children and missing persons. 

PURPOSE

The purpose of this legislation is to upgrade the functions of the Missing
Children and Missing Persons Information Clearinghouse in Texas by adding
certain categories of children and key procedures and methods to follow
when maintaining this clearinghouse. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or
institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1 Amends Section 79.003(b), Human Resources Code as follows:

  (b)(1)  adds "unidentified missing bodies" to the information required
by the   clearinghouse intrastate communication system. 

  (4)  adds "methods of locating and recovering missing children and
missing   persons" to the information collected and maintained by the
clearinghouse. 

  (5)  include "sightings of missing children and missing person's" to
information   received by the statewide toll-free telephone line. 

  (7)  requires the clearinghouse to coordinate with and assist various
agencies, both   public and private, in locating and recovering missing
children, persons,     unidentified persons, and unidentified bodies. 

  (8)  requires the clearinghouse to develop a standard protocol regarding
missing   children and missing persons to be used by local law enforcement
agencies   statewide. 

  (9)  requires the clearinghouse to regularly publish  and distribute  a
directory of   missing children and missing persons to agencies, both
public and private, at the   local, state and national levels. 

  (10)  requires the clearinghouse to compile and summarize statistics of
each case   resolved every year. 

   (11)  requires the clearinghouse to prepare and distribute fliers and
other     information relating to missing children and missing persons.
The fliers will   include available information regarding probable
abductors. 

  (12)  requires the clearinghouse to train law enforcement and other
professional   on issues such as missing children, missing persons,
unidentified persons, and   unidentified bodies. 

  (13)  requires the clearinghouse to operate a resource center to provide
information regarding abduction prevention and information regarding the
sexual   exploitation of missing, exploited, and abused children. 

SECTION 2 Directs the Lt. Governor and the Speaker of the house to create
a joint interim   study committee to report to the 76th Legislature,
Regular Session, 1999.  The   report will concern the feasibility of
establishing the missing children and missing   persons information
clearinghouse as a separate state agency.  The department of   Public
Safety will be required to assist the committee in performing the duties
as   described in this section. 

SECTION 3 Emergency Clause.

EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

Amendment #1 Amends Section 79.003(b), Human Resources Code, by stating
that the clearinghouse is required to establish the database only if money
can be appropriated for that purpose.