HB1180 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB094 09368 RSP 39613 b

94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2005 and 2006
HB1180

Introduced 2/8/2005, by Rep. Edward J. Acevedo

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 2605/2605-480

Amends the Department of State Police Law. Provides that any radio or television broadcast station or cable television system participating in an emergency alert program and any director, officer, employee, or agent of that station or system shall be immune from liability to any person for damages or losses caused or allegedly caused by, and shall not be subjected to a criminal or civil fine or penalty for, the broadcast or cablecast or failure to broadcast or cablecast any information pursuant to the emergency alert program. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Department of State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by changing Section 2605-480 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2605/2605-480)

Sec. 2605-480. Statewide kidnapping alert and prevention program; Child Safety Coordinator; immunity.

(a) The Department of State Police shall develop a coordinated program for a statewide emergency alert system when a child is missing or kidnapped. The system shall include, but is not limited to, the use in coordination with the Illinois Department of Transportation, of electronic message signs on roads and highways in the vicinity of a child abduction to immediately provide critical information to the public.

(b) The Department of State Police shall establish an AMBER Plan Task Force to monitor and review the implementation and operation of the system developed under subsection (a), including procedures, budgetary requirements, and response protocols. The Task Force shall also develop additional network resources for use in the system.

(c) The Department of State Police, in coordination with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, shall develop and implement a community outreach program to promote awareness among the State's parents and children of child abduction prevention and response.

(d) The Department of State Police, in coordination with the State Board of Education, shall develop child abduction prevention instruction for inclusion in elementary and secondary school curricula throughout the State. The Department and State Board of Education shall encourage the inclusion of the child abduction prevention instruction in private elementary and secondary school curricula throughout the State.

(e) The Department shall appoint a Child Safety Coordinator to assist in the establishment of State standards for child safety from kidnap and abduction and to advocate for the achievement of those standards. The Child Safety Coordinator shall have the qualifications and experience that the Department shall require by rule. The Child Safety Coordinator shall receive no compensation but shall be reimbursed for his or her expenses from the Department's operations budget. No funds shall be appropriated solely for the expenses of the Child Safety Coordinator. The Department shall provide technical assistance for the Child Safety Coordinator from its existing resources.

(f) Any radio or television broadcast station or cable television system participating in a statewide emergency alert program or in any local or regional emergency alert program and any director, officer, employee, or agent of that station or system shall be immune from liability to any person for damages or losses caused or allegedly caused by, and shall not be subjected to a criminal or civil fine or penalty for, the broadcast or cablecast or failure to broadcast or cablecast any information pursuant to an emergency alert authorized under this Section.

(Source: P.A. 92-259, eff. 1-1-02; 92-468, eff. 8-22-01; 93-310, eff. 7-23-03.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.