Senate adopts changes to missing-person reporting, requires entry into databases and clarifies exceptions

Senate File 114 would create a statutory duty for Wyoming law enforcement agencies to accept without delay credible reports of missing persons and to enter qualifying cases into relevant national, regional, and state databases. Sponsor Senator Landon described the bill as the product of years of work with sheriffs, chiefs, and local constituencies; he said Wyoming currently lacks a consistent statutory requirement for agencies to accept and report missing‑person complaints.

Key provisions discussed on the floor: - Agencies must accept credible reports of missing persons without delay unless one or more statutory exceptions apply (the bill lists seven exception categories that permit an agency not to take a report). - The bill assigns primary jurisdiction to the law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over the most recent verifiable location of the missing person. - Reports meeting the section’s criteria must be entered into relevant national, regional, and state databases; if a person is not located within 30 days, the accepting agency must compile a complete and accurate record, including photographs when available. - The Division of Criminal Investigation may make certain ongoing investigation information publicly available.

Amendments and committee action: The standing committee amendment cleaned up residency language, clarified exceptions (e.g., replacing an ‘and’ with ‘or’ in a clause), and added an exception for safety concerns (removing language that would have excluded residents of Wyoming under certain circumstances). The committee‑of‑the‑whole amendment revisited one portion of the standing committee amendment to ensure the intent was preserved (law enforcement should accept reports for persons who live in Wyoming even if the most recent verifiable location was outside Wyoming). Both amendments were adopted and the committee of the whole reported the bill do pass amended by voice vote.

Discussion highlights: Senators supporting the bill emphasized improved communication with the public, data collection and reporting, and alignment with practices in surrounding states. Senator Landon noted a local case at the University of Wyoming where communication to the campus community was limited to social media posts; he said SF114 aims to standardize reporting and notification.

Next steps: SF114 was reported do pass amended by the committee of the whole and will proceed through the Senate floor process. Implementation steps in the bill assign data‑entry and reporting responsibilities to law enforcement and the Division of Criminal Investigation.