Tennessee Senate Bill SB1929

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/24/24
• Engrossed: 4/9/24
• Enrolled: 4/19/24
• Passed: 5/1/24
• Chaptered: 5/9/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 38, Chapter 6, Part 1, relative to missing persons.

Impact

The key aspect of SB1929 is its adjustment of the reporting age for missing youths from 21 to 25 years. This amendment acknowledges the broader demographic of young persons at risk and aims to enhance law enforcement's access to critical information resources. It allows for a more responsive approach to the needs of missing individuals, enabling authorities to use tools that effectively engage with the public and media for timely recovery efforts.

Summary

Senate Bill 1929 aims to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 38, Chapter 6, Part 1, to enhance measures regarding the recovery of missing persons, particularly children. With the background fact that approximately six hundred thousand individuals go missing annually in the United States, including a significant percentage of youth, the bill seeks to address shortcomings in current missing person identification and response protocols. This legislation is particularly focused on improving the efficacy of the AMBER Alert system, which is vital for disseminating information swiftly in cases of child abduction.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB1929 appears to be supportive, especially among legislators focused on community safety and youth welfare. Proponents argue that the bill is a crucial step toward increasing the urgency and efficiency of missing persons investigations, particularly in addressing the unique vulnerabilities of young adults and children. Despite strong support, some concerns exist regarding the implications of this change on law enforcement protocols and resource allocation.

Contention

One notable point of contention is whether the increase in the age limit for missing persons could lead to cases being deprioritized, given the long-standing protocols that traditionally focus more on minors. Critics might argue that such changes could inadvertently affect resource distribution or the urgency with which reports are responded to. Nonetheless, the bill seeks to provide law enforcement agencies with the necessary tools to navigate these challenges more effectively, emphasizing the need for a balance between procedural accuracy and timely action in missing persons cases.