BILL NUMBER: S8943
SPONSOR: MARTINEZ
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this legislation is to establish a specialized unit with-
in the division of state police, called the missing persons unit, which
will have advanced training in responding to missing persons reports.
The missing persons unit will work in conjunction with the missing and
exploited women and children clearing-house and perform tasks related to
investigating missing persons reports. The aim of this legislation is to
improve the response to and investigation of missing persons cases,
particularly those involving vulnerable groups, and to increase the
chances of finding missing individuals.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. amends section 236 of the executive law to create a missing
persons unit within the division of state police.
Section 2. amends section 837-f of the executive law to add women to the
Missing and Exploited Children Clearinghouse.
Section 3. amends section 837-m of the executive law to add women to the
reporting duties of law enforcement with respect to missing children and
vulnerable adults.
Section 4. amends section 221 of the executive law by adding a new
subdivision 4 which provides the authority and option based on best
judgement for a police officer, peace officer, or policy agency to
dispatch reports of missing women over the police communication system.
Section 5. amends section 92-w of the state finance law to add women to
the Missing and Exploited Children Clearinghouse Fund.
Section 6. amends section 628 of the tax law to add women to the Gift
for Missing and Exploited Children Clearinghouse Fund.
Section 7. is the enacting clause.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The establishment of a specialized unit within the division of state
police, called the missing persons unit, is crucial to improving the
response to and investigation of missing persons cases in the state of
New York. With advanced training in responding to missing persons
reports, this unit will be equipped to handle these cases that many
local agencies and departments lack.
The missing persons unit will work in conjunction with the missing and
exploited children clearing-house which is expanded under this bill to
include women, further increasing the chances of finding missing indi-
viduals. The expertise and resources provided by this specialized unit
will be vital in improving the state's ability to locate missing
persons, bringing closure to families, and ensuring that justice is
served.
In conclusion, the establishment of the missing persons unit is an
important step towards improving the response to and investigation of
missing persons cases in the state of New York. By providing advanced
training, this unit will be well-equipped to address the challenges
facing our communities and bring closure to families in need.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect 180 days after it shall have become a law.

Statutes affected:
S8943: 837-m executive law, 221 executive law, 628 tax law