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