The provisions in S0112 would significantly change how law enforcement agencies must handle missing person reports. Under this act, there is a mandatory process for entering missing person reports into a national database without requiring a waiting period, ensuring a more immediate response in cases of children or vulnerable adults who are reported missing. By also requiring compliance reviews of these procedures, the bill seeks to foster accountability for law enforcement practices related to missing persons, thereby potentially increasing the recovery rates of these individuals.
Summary
S0112, known as the 'Help Find the Missing Act,' aims to enhance the procedures and obligations around reporting and managing cases of missing persons in South Carolina. The bill introduces a new section to the state's code which defines key terms related to missing citizens and outlines the circumstances under which coroners or medical examiners must refer unidentifiable bodies for forensic examination. It mandates that agencies collect and report detailed identifying information of missing persons to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs).
Contention
Notable points of contention surrounding S0112 include concerns from some lobbying groups regarding the implications for privacy and resource allocation for law enforcement. The need for dental records to be shared promptly can raise ethical questions about consent and the handling of personal information, particularly for individuals who may not have family readily available to authorize such releases. Furthermore, the mandate that no waiting period exists before investigating a missing child report is seen as a positive measure, though there are questions about the practical implications for resource-strapped police departments tasked with swiftly managing these sensitive cases.