Committee advances ‘Takara Rose’s Law’ to end waiting periods for missing-person reports and adds public campaign housed in Police Department
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Summary
The Health & Human Services/Public Safety Committee voted favorably (3–0) on CB-2 Draft 2 (Takara Rose's Law) after public testimony and amendments. The bill prohibits mandatory waiting periods to file missing-person reports, requires prompt acceptance, and directs a public campaign (committee amended language to house the campaign in the Police Department); estimated fiscal impact: $250,000 for the public campaign.
The Prince George's County Council Health & Human Services/Public Safety Committee voted favorably as amended on CB-2 Draft 2, "Takara Rose's Law," advancing the bill to the full council. The bill would prohibit mandatory waiting periods for missing‑person reports, require prompt acceptance of reports, and mandate public notice that no waiting period is imposed. Committee members also amended the bill to direct a public campaign tailored to missing Black women and girls to be housed in the Prince George's County Police Department.
Chair Wanika Fisher, the bill sponsor, described the measure as personal and said Takara was found missing in her district. The bill seeks both legal changes and wraparound services to support families at the outset of a missing‑person case. Malcolm from the county budget and policy team reported an estimated $250,000 fiscal impact for a public campaign tied to the bill, and the Office of Law (Miss Hernandez) said the legislation, as amended, is in proper legislative form.
Family members and advocates gave emotional testimony urging passage. Danica Robinson recounted searching for a missing loved one and said, "Those early hours matter," arguing that "No family should ever hesitate because they believe they must wait 24 to 48 hours." Carmen Thompson, identified in the record as Takara's mother, and student speakers Ella Williams and Zora Williams urged the council to adopt the legislation and thanked the committee for including a public campaign focused on missing Black women and girls.
Tyrone Collington, a former police chief and now deputy director with Homeland Security for Prince George's County, told the committee that law enforcement must accept reports immediately and recommended that education begin in the police academy; he said reports should be entered into the National Crime Information Center promptly to support investigations.
The committee considered a County Executive request to change a reference in the draft from the Department of Health to the Police Department for the public campaign and agreed the draft staff had updated that language. The committee then adopted Amendment 1 (to insert the Police Department language and specify a public campaign) and voted the bill "favorable as amended." Roll call showed Aye votes from Chair Fisher, Council member Hunter and Council member Oriada (motion passed in committee). The bill will move to full council for a final vote.
Next steps: CB-2 Draft 2 (Takara Rose's Law), as amended, will be placed on a future full-council agenda for final consideration.
