No Wait Reporting of Missing Children in Texas

Now anyone can report a missing child to any law enforcement agency in Texas, and a report must be created immediately. HB908 focuses on improving the handling and reporting of missing child cases, rather than simply issuing alerts. Texas Law Enforcement must process all reports of missing children without exception with 2 hours of receipt. 

There are 2 Missing Child reporting laws in Texas, the AMBER ALERT and HB908 (HB908 replaces the Athena Law). Each law serves a distinct purpose in locating missing children and ensuring their safety.

HB908 STIPULATES

1. Law Enforcement will process all reports of missing children without exception. Now, anyone can report a missing child to any law enforcement agency in Texas, and a police report must be created immediately.
2. Law Enforcement will immediately begin an investigation to locate the missing child. 
3. Law Enforcement will, within two hours, enter the child's information, including identifying features and details about the person believed to have taken or retained the child, into the clearinghouse and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) missing person's file.
4. Law Enforcement will, within two hours, upload this information into the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System. And contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by submitting a signed NCMEC posting form and police report free of charge at missingkids.org or by calling the 24-Hour Hotline 1-800-843-5678. NCMEC provides free assistance to family, guardians, and law enforcement in the search for missing children.
5. Law Enforcement will, within 48 hours, electronically share the report and relevant information with law enforcement agencies within 200 miles. 
6. Law Enforcement will, within 30 days, enter the child's information into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs). 
7. Law Enforcement will notify the reporting person that their information be entered into various national and state databases and shared with nearby law enforcement agencies.
8. The provisions of this bill are now included in the required state and federal law update course, (Texas Commission on Law Enforcement #3189) that all peace officers must undergo every two years to renew their professional license.

AMBER ALERT

1. Issued when a child is abducted and believed to be in imminent danger.
2. Broadcast through various media channels, such as TV, radio, and cell phones.
3. Criteria for activation include confirmed abduction.
4. Child's age (typically under 18).
5. Sufficient descriptive information about the child, abductor, or vehicle.

THE ISSUES OF MISSING CHILDREN

• Autism & Wandering
• Child Sex Trafficking
• End-to-End Encryption
• Family Abduction
• Generative AI (GAI)
• Help ID Me
• Infant Abductions
• Long-Term Missing
• Missing From Care
• Online Enticement
• Other Types of Missing
• Endangered Runaways
• Child Sexual Abuse Material
• Nonfamily Abductions & Attempts
• Sextortion
• Take It Down
• Is Your Child Missing? 

LEGISLATIVE TESTIMONY (CLICK HERE)

If you have information about a missing child, call 911 or NCMEC missingkids.org 1-800-843-5678 or the National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888 or 1-800-CALL-FBI.

File your missing person's report with the Sheriff or Police Law Enforcement for free law enforcement assistance by calling 911. Record your NCMEC CASE#, NCIC CASE#, NIC CASE# and Sheriff or Police Case#. You can also file your missing person's report with the FBI for their assistance.

If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide or worried about a friend or loved one, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for free, confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Mark and Glenda Durham, Pastors

940-341-3014

www.newlinesoffaith.com

glendadurham.gkd@gmail.com