New York Assembly Bill A03491

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/28/25
• Refer: 1/28/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Provides for a formal process for a parent or legal guardian to request the issuance of an AMBER alert.

Summary

This bill amends the Executive Law provisions governing missing child alerts to create a formal process for a parent or legal guardian to request that an AMBER alert, or other missing child alert, be issued. Under the proposal, the request would be made to the Division of State Police for review. The bill is aimed at giving families a clearer, direct avenue to seek activation of the alert system when a child is missing. The measure also clarifies that police agencies are not required to dispatch or transmit a missing child report if the investigating police department believes doing so could jeopardize the investigation or the child’s safety, or if the department requests forbearance for any reason. The bill takes effect immediately if enacted.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would amend section 837-f of the Executive Law to add a new statutory procedure for parental or guardian requests for missing child alerts and to preserve police discretion over whether to transmit information in a particular case. It would affect the Division of State Police, local investigating police departments, and families seeking AMBER alerts by formalizing the request process while leaving final review and operational judgment with law enforcement.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes, the measure appears to be framed as a child-safety and family-notification bill with a generally supportive policy purpose. Its stated goal is to improve access to the alert system for parents and guardians, while also recognizing law enforcement concerns about investigation integrity and child safety.

Contention

The main point of potential contention is the balance between parental/guardian access to the AMBER alert process and police discretion. Supporters are likely to favor the added formal request mechanism for families, while law enforcement may emphasize the need to withhold or delay transmission when disclosure could harm an investigation or endanger the child. The bill’s language preserving broad police discretion could also be viewed as limiting the practical effect of the new request process.