The Idaho House passed legislation Tuesday that would create an all-encompassing alert called an Endangered Missing Person Alert, or EMPA, to notify those in Idaho and surrounding states about a missing person.
Bill sponsors Sen. Abby Lee of Fruitland, and Rep. Ryan Kerby of New Plymouth, cited a missing Fruitland boy who disappeared nearly eight months ago. Michael Vaughan, a 5-year-old who disappeared from his neighborhood July 17, 2021, did not get an Amber Alert because he did not qualify for all of its criteria — largely because it was not known if he had been abducted. Fruitland residents and beyond argued that this may have hindered the ability to find him. The bill would let the Amber Alert stand alone while consolidating all other types of alerts into one.
The Legislature’s Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee voted unanimously Tuesday in favor of a funding bill to follow after SB 1378, which appropriates $1.3 million from the state general fund. That includes funding for the Idaho State Police to develop the new alert system, and $66,500 for the Idaho Transportation Department to make changes to its existing Amber Alert system.
The bill now heads to the governor’s desk. (Lewiston Tribune)
