Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 117.djvu/680

 PUBLIC LAW 108–21—APR. 30, 2003

117 STAT. 661

(b) DUTIES.—In acting as the national coordinator of the AMBER Alert communications network, the Coordinator shall— (1) seek to eliminate gaps in the network, including gaps in areas of interstate travel; (2) work with States to encourage the development of additional elements (known as local AMBER plans) in the network; (3) work with States to ensure appropriate regional coordination of various elements of the network; and (4) act as the nationwide point of contact for— (A) the development of the network; and (B) regional coordination of alerts on abducted children through the network. (c) CONSULTATION WITH FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION.— In carrying out duties under subsection (b), the Coordinator shall notify and consult with the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation concerning each child abduction for which an alert is issued through the AMBER Alert communications network. (d) COOPERATION.—The Coordinator shall cooperate with the Secretary of Transportation and the Federal Communications Commission in carrying out activities under this section. (e) REPORT.—Not later than March 1, 2005, the Coordinator shall submit to Congress a report on the activities of the Coordinator and the effectiveness and status of the AMBER plans of each State that has implemented such a plan. The Coordinator shall prepare the report in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation. SEC. 302. MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR ISSUANCE AND DISSEMINATION OF ALERTS THROUGH AMBER ALERT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK.

Deadline.

42 USC 5791a.

(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF MINIMUM STANDARDS.—Subject to subsection (b), the AMBER Alert Coordinator of the Department of Justice shall establish minimum standards for— (1) the issuance of alerts through the AMBER Alert communications network; and (2) the extent of the dissemination of alerts issued through the network. (b) LIMITATIONS.—(1) The minimum standards established under subsection (a) shall be adoptable on a voluntary basis only. (2) The minimum standards shall, to the maximum extent practicable (as determined by the Coordinator in consultation with State and local law enforcement agencies), provide that appropriate information relating to the special needs of an abducted child (including health care needs) are disseminated to the appropriate law enforcement, public health, and other public officials. (3) The minimum standards shall, to the maximum extent practicable (as determined by the Coordinator in consultation with State and local law enforcement agencies), provide that the dissemination of an alert through the AMBER Alert communications network be limited to the geographic areas most likely to facilitate the recovery of the abducted child concerned. (4) In carrying out activities under subsection (a), the Coordinator may not interfere with the current system of voluntary coordination between local broadcasters and State and local law enforcement agencies for purposes of the AMBER Alert communications network.

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