HB2453 H JUD AM 3-6 #1
     The Committee on the Judiciary moves to amend the bill on page one, following the title of the bill, by striking out the remainder of the bill and inserting in lieu thereof the following language:
"PREAMBLE
THIS LEGISLATION SHALL BE KNOWN AS 'SKYLAR'S LAW.' WHEREAS, THE AMBER PLAN, A PLAN TO HELP RECOVER ABDUCTED CHILDREN, HAS BEEN IN EFFECT IN WEST VIRGINIA FOR NEARLY TEN YEARS WITH VERY SUCCESSFUL RESULTS. THE AMBER PLAN NOT ONLY HELPS TO RECOVER ABDUCTED CHILDREN BUT ALSO ACTS AS A DETERRENT TO THIS TYPE OF CRIME. SKYLAR'S LAW WILL REQUIRE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO REPORT A SUSPECTED ABDUCTION OR MISSING CHILD TO THE AMBER ALERT AUTHORITIES IN THE INITIAL STAGES OF INVESTIGATION TO FACILITATE THEIR SAFE RETURN.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
     That §15-3A-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted, all to read as follows:
ARTICLE 3A. AMBER ALERT PLAN.
§15-3A-4. Activation of Amber Alert.
     (a) The following criteria shall be met before the State Police activate the Amber Alert:
     (1) The child is believed to be abducted;
     (2) The child is seventeen years of age or younger;
     (3) The child may be in danger of death or serious bodily injury; and
     (4) There is sufficient information available to indicate that an Amber Alert would assist in locating the child.
     (b) In the event of suspicion that a child has been abducted or is missing, and in the initial stages of a missing or abducted
child investigation, the reporting law enforcement agency shall contact the West Virginia State Police Communications Center by phone. The communications center will then contact the Amber Alert Coordinator to determine if the Amber Alert criteria are satisfied."