SB371

Senate Bill 371 establishes a new 'missing endangered child advisory system' in Arkansas, operated by the Division of Arkansas State Police. This system is designed to assist in locating missing children who do not meet the stringent criteria required for an Amber Alert. Under the bill, the system can be activated for children under 18 if their disappearance appears unexplained, involuntary, or suspicious, or if they are suspected of being abducted. Additionally, the system may be used if the child has a developmental disability or impairment, or if they are in danger due to factors like age, health, weather, or proximity to a dangerous person. The Division of Arkansas State Police is tasked with developing procedures for activation and coordinating with local law enforcement to ensure the system is effectively utilized. This act ensures that a standardized framework exists to aid search efforts for endangered children who would otherwise fall outside the scope of current alert protocols.