Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2553

Introduced
1/18/24  
Refer
1/18/24  

Caption

Establishing procedures for law enforcement agencies and the secretary for children and families to follow and use when a child in custody of the secretary is reported missing and requiring the secretary to obtain a nondrivers' identification card for such reports.

Impact

The introduction of HB2553 is poised to amend existing statutes related to missing persons, specifically tailoring them to children in custody of the Secretary for Children and Families. The bill emphasizes a structured protocol for immediate reporting and updating of information about missing children, thereby aligning local law enforcement actions with state and national systems for missing persons. This could significantly increase the chances of locating missing children more rapidly and efficiently, thereby enhancing child welfare.

Summary

House Bill 2553 seeks to establish specific procedures for law enforcement agencies and the Kansas Secretary for Children and Families when a child under their custody is reported missing. The bill mandates that within two hours of receiving a missing report, law enforcement must enter key information regarding the child into national and state missing person databases. This will facilitate a swift response to potential cases of child abduction or disappearance, enhancing the overall operational framework for addressing such critical situations.

Contention

While proponents advocate for the bill as a vital step toward improving child safety, critics may raise concerns regarding the implementation and enforcement of these provisions. Questions may arise regarding the adequacy of training for law enforcement personnel on these new protocols and whether existing resources are sufficient to support the expedited processes mandated by the bill. Additionally, the focus on centralizing authority through legislation could lead to discussions about overreach and the potential for misapplication of the new procedures.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

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