88R13526 MEW-D
 
  By: Stucky H.B. No. 3556
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a local area activation of the alert system for certain
  missing children.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter L, Chapter 411, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 411.3555 to read as follows:
         Sec. 411.3555.  LOCAL AREA ACTIVATION FOR CERTAIN MISSING
  CHILDREN. On the request of a local law enforcement agency that
  knows a child is missing but has not verified the criteria described
  by Section 411.355(a), and if the chief law enforcement officer of
  the local law enforcement agency believes that activation of the
  alert system is warranted, the department shall:
               (1)  activate the alert system only in the following
  areas:
                     (A)  within a 100-mile radius of the location from
  which the child is believed to have gone missing or the location in
  which the child was last seen, as applicable; and
                     (B)  in all counties adjacent to the county from
  which the child is believed to have gone missing or the county in
  which the child was last seen, as applicable; and
               (2)  notify appropriate participants in the alert
  system, as established by rule.
         SECTION 2.  Section 411.356, Government Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 411.356.  LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.  Before
  requesting activation of the alert system, a local law enforcement
  agency must verify that the criteria described by Section
  411.355(a) or (b) or 411.3555, as applicable, have been
  satisfied.  On verification of the applicable criteria, the local
  law enforcement agency shall immediately contact the department to
  request activation and shall supply the necessary information on
  the forms prescribed by the director.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2023.