Findings

The Legislature finds that: (1) The ability of law-enforcement agencies to rapidly respond in the hours following the discovery that an individual is missing is a crucial factor in the likelihood that the person will ultimately be located and recovered. The prompt communication of detailed information to the public through emergency broadcast systems and media outlets, including through social media platforms and missing persons databases, can be one of the most effective tools in a missing persons investigation. (2) A number of national and state-level databases are available to allow law-enforcement agencies and medical examiners to electronically share key information with other law-enforcement agencies and the public related to the investigation of a missing person or unidentified human remains. (3) In light of technological developments, it is imperative that all law-enforcement agencies in West Virginia follow certain minimum procedures for responding to missing persons complaints and submit key information to national and state-level databases in a timely manner.