HB 2479 Summary

• Requires the Department of Child Safety to notify law enforcement immediately or within 24 hours when a child ward is missing, abducted, or runaway, and to report to the National Crime Information Center and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

• Mandates the department contact parents, relatives, caregivers, attorneys, guardians, advocates, schools, and other relevant persons within 24 hours to obtain information about the child's disappearance.

• Requires law enforcement to provide a written and telephonic notice of disappearance to designated persons and determine if the situation meets amber alert or silver alert criteria within 24 hours.

• Establishes ongoing monthly contact requirements with law enforcement, family members, schools, and social media monitoring until the child is located or reaches age of majority, with documented efforts required every 10 days.

• Requires the department to submit monthly reports to the Governor and Legislature starting 90 days after enactment, and if compliance falls below 95% for four months in a year, mandates creation of a dedicated Missing, Abducted and Runaway Children Unit with at least four employees and 24-hour availability.