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Judiciary committee clears bill requiring private search parties to notify families and sheriffs
Summary
The committee voted to send House Bill 2668A to the floor; the bill requires private search parties to disclose fees, notify an immediate family member and notify the county sheriff 72 hours before searching, and authorizes civil penalties for noncompliance.
The Senate Committee on Judiciary voted on May 14 to send House Bill 2668A to the Senate floor with a due-pass recommendation. The bill requires private search parties to disclose to an immediate family member, verbally and in writing, that they are not acting as an agent of a public body and to specify if they intend to charge fees, request donations or derive profit from search activities.
Under the bill, private search parties must notify the county sheriff with jurisdiction at least 72 hours before engaging in search efforts and provide information such as the missing person's identity and the anticipated time frame unless the sheriff has previously approved a different notice schedule. The measure defines relevant terms and authorizes counties to impose civil penalties for noncompliance. Committee staff said the bill came from the House with 55 ayes and 5 excused and indicated no fiscal impact and minimal revenue impact.
Senator Thatcher moved the measure to the floor with a due-pass recommendation; the chair called the roll and announced the motion carried. The chair said he would carry the bill to the floor.
