Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 266 (2023GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Wilcox, R.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/20/2023

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• defines terms;
• specifies the criteria for when an Amber Alert may be issued; and
• gives the Department of Public Safety rulemaking authority to administer the Amber Alert System.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

AMBER ALERT AMENDMENTS
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Ryan D. Wilcox
Senate Sponsor: 
Curtis S. Bramble
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill addresses the Amber Alert System.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ defines terms;
▸ specifies the criteria for when an Amber Alert may be issued; and
▸ gives the Department of Public Safety rulemaking authority to administer the
Amber Alert System.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
ENACTS:
53-10-1001
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
53-10-1002
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
53-10-1001
 is enacted to read:
Part 10. Amber Alert System
 53-10-1001.
Definitions.
As used in this part:
(1) "Abduction of a child" means the taking, concealing, or detaining of a child without
permission from an individual entitled to custody of the child.
(2) "Amber Alert" means an alert issued in accordance with America's Missing:
Broadcast Emergency Response run by the bureau to assist a law enforcement agency in the
recovery of an abducted child.
(3) "Child" means an individual under 18 years old.
(4) "Runaway" means the same as that term is defined in Section 
80-1-102
.
Section 2. Section 
53-10-1002
 is enacted to read:
 53-10-1002.
Amber Alert criteria.
(1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), if a law enforcement agency receives a report
that an abduction of a child has occurred, including an abduction of a child by the child's parent
or guardian, the investigating law enforcement agency may issue an Amber Alert if:
(a) the investigating law enforcement agency confirms that an abduction of the child
has occurred;
(b) the investigating law enforcement agency believes there is a credible threat of
imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death to the child; and
(c) there is sufficient descriptive information about the child, alleged abductor, or the
circumstances surrounding the abduction to indicate that issuing an Amber Alert will assist in
the safe recovery of the child or the apprehension of the abductor.
(2) A law enforcement agency may not issue an Amber Alert:
(a) for a reported runaway; or
(b) for the taking, concealing, or detaining of a child by the child's parent during a child
custody dispute regarding the child, unless there is a credible threat of imminent danger of
serious bodily injury or death to the child.
(3) The investigating law enforcement agency may use relevant law enforcement
technology, including an automatic license plate reader system, to locate a vehicle that is being
sought in connection with an issued Amber Alert.
(4) The department and the Department of Transportation may make rules in
accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, establishing
policies and procedures for the operation and maintenance of the Amber Alert System other
than mobile network operations.