H.B. No. 3556

	AN ACT
	relating to a local area activation of the alert system for certain
	missing children.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter L, Chapter 411, Government Code, is
	amended by adding Section 411.3555 to read as follows:
	Sec. 411.3555.  LOCAL AREA ACTIVATION FOR CERTAIN MISSING
	CHILDREN. On the request of a local law enforcement agency that
	knows a child is missing but has not verified the criteria described
	by Section 411.355(a), and if the chief law enforcement officer of
	the local law enforcement agency believes that activation of the
	alert system is warranted, the department shall:
	(1)  activate the alert system only in the following
	areas:
	(A)  within a 100-mile radius of the location from
	which the child is believed to have gone missing or the location in
	which the child was last seen, as applicable; and
	(B)  in all counties adjacent to the county from
	which the child is believed to have gone missing or the county in
	which the child was last seen, as applicable; and
	(2)  notify appropriate participants in the alert
	system, as established by rule.
	SECTION 2.  Section 411.356, Government Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 411.356.  LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.  Before
	requesting activation of the alert system, a local law enforcement
	agency must verify that the criteria described by Section
	411.355(a) or (b) or 411.3555, as applicable, have been
	satisfied.  On verification of the applicable criteria, the local
	law enforcement agency shall immediately contact the department to
	request activation and shall supply the necessary information on
	the forms prescribed by the director.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
	a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
	Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
	______________________________	______________________________
	President of the Senate	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.B. No. 3556 was passed by the House on May 9,
	2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 139, Nays 3, 2 present, not
	voting.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House
	I certify that H.B. No. 3556 was passed by the Senate on May
	24, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
	______________________________
	Secretary of the Senate
	APPROVED:  _____________________
	Date
	_____________________
	Governor

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 411.356 (Government Code 411)
House Committee Report: Government Code 411.356 (Government Code 411)
Engrossed: Government Code 411.356 (Government Code 411)
Senate Committee Report: Government Code 411.356 (Government Code 411)
Enrolled: Government Code 411.356 (Government Code 411)