HARRY HUGHES, Governor

3861

House Bill 1328, which was passed by the General Assembly
and signed by me on May 28, 1985, accomplishes the same purpose.
Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign Senate Bill 552.

Sincerely,
Harry Hughes
Governor

Senate Bill No. 552

AN ACT concerning

Missing Children - Investigation and Reporting

FOR the purpose of providing statewide guidelines to aid in the
locating of missing children; making certain legislative
findings; requiring certain investigatory and reporting
activities by law enforcement agencies; defining certain
terms; providing certain authority to the Maryland State
Police in the investigation of missing children reports;
establishing a State Clearinghouse for Missing Children
within the Department of Public Safety and Correctional
Services; requiring the State Clearinghouse to perform
certain activities; establishing an advisory council to the
State Clearinghouse composed of certain members; and
generally relating to the investigation and reporting of
reports involving missing children.

BY adding to

Article - Family Law
Section 9-401 through 9-404 9-403
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1984 Volume)

Preamble

The General Assembly finds that:

(1) This State has a duty to locate and protect
children who are reported missing;

(2) The number of missing children has increased, and
this problem requires a statewide system for exchanging
information, a central repository for information on missing
children, and special training for law enforcement personnel;

(3) The first 24 to 48 hours after a child is
reported missing are crucial, and law enforcement agencies
responsible for investigating reports of missing children should