Mo. House backs expansion of Amber Alert system

Monday, April 9, 2012

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri’s Amber Alert system could be expanded to include certain fugitives as well as missing children, under a bill moving through the Legislature.

The state’s Amber Alert system was created in 2003 to identify and help find missing or abducted children. Alerts are transmitted to the public through the news media, on state websites and messages to cellphones.

Legislation approved by the House would also allow an Amber Alert to be issued for any person who flees after assaulting or injuring a law enforcement officer.

The provision is part of a larger crime bill now moving through the Senate. If the legislation passes, the state would have to adopt procedures to expand the Amber Alert system by next Jan. 1.

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Crimes bill is HB1515

Online:

Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov

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gofish 1 year, 1 month ago

I disagree with changing the intent and purpose of the amber alert. It needs to remain specific to child abductions so that the public is not confused or misled. Assaults on law enforcement are more common than abducted children. If there is a sudden rash of amber alerts that have nothing to do with children, I'm afraid they will start getting ignored as "routine". This is bad legislation.