(WKYT) – A Kentucky lawmaker introduced a bill that would expand the requirements for initiating an Amber Alert.
Under Senate Bill 289, Amber Alerts could be issued if authorities determine that the disappearance of a child may not have been voluntary and the child’s physical safety may be endangered.
The proposed bill would also extend Amber Alert requirements to include missing children who are committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice, as well as children in temporary custody of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, a relative or a nonrelative placement.
According to a press release by the Senate Majority Caucus, SB 289 is meant to “ensure faster, clearer coordination among law enforcement, state agencies, and media partners when time is critical.”
SB 289 broadens notification reach, modifying the statute to ensure cooperation with media providers in general as opposed to only the Kentucky Broadcasters Association and Kentucky Press Association.
Introduced by Sen. Brandon Storm on Friday, Feb. 27, SB 289 comes after the disappearance of a 13-year-old girl from Rockcastle County who was found safe two months later. There was no Amber Alert issued for her disappearance.
The suspect in the disappearance case, Christian Delgado, is facing both state and federal charges.