Title: An act relating to missing and runaway children.

Brief Description: Changing provisions relating to missing and runaway children.

Sponsors: Senators McAuliffe, Thibaudeau, Stevens, Hargrove, Regala, Shin and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Human Services & Corrections: 2/17/05, 2/24/05 [DP, DNP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Regala, Vice Chair; Carrell, McAuliffe and Thibaudeau.

Minority Report: Do not pass.Signed by Senator Brandland.

Staff: Edith Rice (786-7444)

Background: Current law requires that a law enforcement agency that receives a report from a parent that a child has run away from home, must submit that information to the crime information system. There is no such requirement that law enforcement submit information about missing children to the crime information system. The crime information system coordinates crime information for all law enforcement agencies in the state. It also provides access to the national crime information center.

The Washington State Patrol operates a missing children toll-free hotline 24 hours per day through the missing children clearinghouse. Local law enforcement agencies must enter missing child information into the state missing person computerized network within 12 hours of receipt. Information about missing children is distributed to local law enforcement, school districts, the Department of Social and Health Services and the general public. A computerized link is maintained with other state and national missing person systems.

Summary of Bill: Law enforcement agencies that receive a report of a missing child are to also submit those reports to the crime information center. Law enforcement officers who have reasonable cause to believe a child is missing, a run away or absent from the home without the parent's consent are to make a good faith effort to locate the child, and are not liable for civil damages if they comply with this requirement.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: None.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: No one.