Bill > LD172

This bill requires the Maine State Police to create and maintain a publicly accessible website listing all open missing persons cases in the state by December 31, 2026. The website must include detailed information about each missing person, such as demographics, photographs, circumstances of disappearance, last known location, and other potentially helpful details. The list must be updated at least monthly. Additionally, the bill mandates the Department of Public Safety to convene a working group of 11 members from various agencies, law enforcement organizations, and stakeholders to review best practices for investigating missing persons cases. The working group will examine potential improvements to training modules, evaluate the effectiveness of the Silver Alert Program, and identify ways to enhance missing persons investigations. By December 3, 2025, the group must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, which may then propose legislation. The bill also includes one-time funding of $4,139 from the General Fund and $2,229 from the Highway Fund to cover technology costs for establishing the website.

Justice

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=172&snum=132