The proposed bill establishes a new standardized system known as the "missing endangered child advisory system" to assist in the search for missing children who do not meet the criteria for the Arkansas Amber Alert System. This system will be operated by the Division of Arkansas State Police and can be activated under specific circumstances, including when a child's disappearance is unexplained, suspected to be an abduction, or when the child has a developmental disability or other impairments. Additionally, the system can be activated if the child is believed to be in danger due to various factors such as age, health, or environmental conditions.
The bill outlines the responsibilities of the Division of Arkansas State Police, which include establishing procedures for activating the advisory system and coordinating with local law enforcement to ensure its effective implementation. Importantly, the missing endangered child advisory system is designed to be used exclusively when a child's situation does not qualify for the Amber Alert System, thereby filling a critical gap in the response to missing children cases.