The bill proposes the establishment of a missing persons unit within police departments located in counties with populations exceeding one million inhabitants, effective January 1, 2027. This new section, designated as 85.705, outlines the responsibilities of the unit, which include coordinating and investigating reports of missing persons, collecting and disseminating information to assist in locating these individuals, entering relevant data into the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), and facilitating communication with the Missouri State Highway Patrol's missing persons unit. Additionally, the bill allows these police departments to hire new officers or assign existing staff to the missing persons unit, with their compensation and benefits to be covered by the department's annual operating budget. This initiative aims to enhance the effectiveness of efforts to locate missing persons in large counties, thereby improving public safety and community support.

Statutes affected:
Introduced (6918H.01): 85.705