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• 2023 General Session
• H.B. 266

H.B. 266 Amber Alert Amendments

• Bill Text
• Status
• Hearings/Debate

Bill Sponsor: Rep. Wilcox, Ryan D.

Floor Sponsor: Sen. Bramble, Curtis S.

• Drafting Attorney: Shad Larson
• Fiscal Analyst: Gary R. Syphus

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• Bill Tracking

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• Bill Text
  • Introduced
  • Amended
    • Amended Pages Only
  • Enrolled (Currently Displayed)

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• Related Documents
  • Fiscal Note
  • House Transmittal Letter 1
  • House Transmittal Letter 2
  • Senate Transmittal Letter 1
  • Senate Transmittal Letter 2
  • Senate Floor Amendment 1
  • Senate Floor Amendment 2(passed)

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• Information
  • Last Action: 20 Mar 2023, Governor Signed
  • Last Location: Lieutenant Governor's office for filing
  • Effective Date: 3 May 2023
  • Session Law Chapter: 404

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• Similar Bills
  • Crimes
  • Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice
  • Administrative Rulemaking and Procedures
  • Department of Public Safety
  • Kidnapping
  • New Rulemaking Authority
  • Bureau of Criminal Investigation

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Enrolled

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H.B. 266

1     AMBER ALERT AMENDMENTS
2     2023 GENERAL SESSION
3     STATE OF UTAH
4     Chief Sponsor: Ryan D. Wilcox
5     Senate Sponsor: Curtis S. Bramble
6     

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7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill addresses the Amber Alert System.
10     Highlighted Provisions:
11          This bill:
12          ▸     defines terms;
13          ▸     specifies the criteria for when an Amber Alert may be issued; and
14          ▸     gives the Department of Public Safety rulemaking authority to administer the
15     Amber Alert System.
16     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
17          None
18     Other Special Clauses:
19          None
20     Utah Code Sections Affected:
21     ENACTS:
22          53-10-1001, Utah Code Annotated 1953
23          53-10-1002, Utah Code Annotated 1953
24     

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25     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
26          Section 1. Section 53-10-1001 is enacted to read:
27     Part 10. Amber Alert System
28          53-10-1001. Definitions.
29          As used in this part:

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30          (1) "Abduction of a child" means the taking, concealing, or detaining of a child without
31     permission from an individual entitled to custody of the child.
32          (2) "Amber Alert" means an alert issued in accordance with America's Missing:
33     Broadcast Emergency Response run by the bureau to assist a law enforcement agency in the
34     recovery of an abducted child.
35          (3) "Child" means an individual under 18 years old.
36          (4) "Runaway" means the same as that term is defined in Section 80-1-102.
37          Section 2. Section 53-10-1002 is enacted to read:
38          53-10-1002. Amber Alert criteria.
39          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), if a law enforcement agency receives a report
40     that an abduction of a child has occurred, including an abduction of a child by the child's parent
41     or guardian, the investigating law enforcement agency may issue an Amber Alert if:
42          (a) the investigating law enforcement agency confirms that an abduction of the child
43     has occurred;
44          (b) the investigating law enforcement agency believes there is a credible threat of
45     imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death to the child; and
46          (c) there is sufficient descriptive information about the child, alleged abductor, or the
47     circumstances surrounding the abduction to indicate that issuing an Amber Alert will assist in
48     the safe recovery of the child or the apprehension of the abductor.
49          (2) A law enforcement agency may not issue an Amber Alert:
50          (a) for a reported runaway; or
51          (b) for the taking, concealing, or detaining of a child by the child's parent during a child
52     custody dispute regarding the child, unless there is a credible threat of imminent danger of
53     serious bodily injury or death to the child.
54          (3) The investigating law enforcement agency may use relevant law enforcement
55     technology, including an automatic license plate reader system, to locate a vehicle that is being
56     sought in connection with an issued Amber Alert.
57          (4) The department and the Department of Transportation may make rules in

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58     accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, establishing
59     policies and procedures for the operation and maintenance of the Amber Alert System other
60     than mobile network operations.