§ 2605-480

Statewide kidnapping alert and prevention program; Child Safety Coordinator. (a) The Illinois State Police shall develop a coordinated program for a statewide emergency alert system when a child is missing or kidnapped. The system shall include, but is not limited to, the use in coordination with the Illinois Department of Transportation, of electronic message signs on roads and highways in the vicinity of a child abduction to immediately provide critical information to the public. (b) The Illinois State Police shall establish an AMBER Plan Task Force to monitor and review the implementation and operation of the system developed under subsection (a), including procedures, budgetary requirements, and response protocols. The Task Force shall also develop additional network resources for use in the system. (c) The Illinois State Police, in coordination with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, shall develop and implement a community outreach program to promote awareness among the State's parents and children of child abduction prevention and response. (d) The Illinois State Police, in coordination with the State Board of Education, shall develop child abduction prevention instruction for inclusion in elementary and secondary school curricula throughout the State. The Illinois State Police and State Board of Education shall encourage the inclusion of the child abduction prevention instruction in private elementary and secondary school curricula throughout the State. (e) The Illinois State Police shall appoint a Child Safety Coordinator to assist in the establishment of State standards for child safety from kidnap and abduction and to advocate for the achievement of those standards. The Child Safety Coordinator shall have the qualifications and experience that the Illinois State Police shall require by rule. The Child Safety Coordinator shall receive no compensation but shall be reimbursed for his or her expenses from the Illinois State Police's operations budget. No funds shall be appropriated solely for the expenses of the Child Safety Coordinator. The Illinois State Police shall provide technical assistance for the Child Safety Coordinator from its existing resources.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)