44-2-407. Department of justice missing persons response -- missing persons specialist. (1) The department of justice may assist with the investigation of all missing persons cases, regardless of the age of the missing person, in accordance with part 5 and this part.
(2) (a) The department shall employ a missing persons specialist responsible for working closely with local, state, federal, and tribal law enforcement authorities on missing persons cases. The specialist shall:
(i) provide guidance and support to law enforcement authorities and families in the search for missing persons;
(ii) oversee entries into the database of the national crime information center of the United States department of justice and other databases to ensure records of missing persons are accurate, complete, and made in a timely fashion;
(iii) manage the state missing persons database and missing persons public information website;
(iv) network with other state and international missing persons programs and the national center for missing and exploited children to aid in locating children who are unlawfully taken out of or unlawfully brought into Montana;
(v) provide public outreach and education on missing persons issues and the prevention of child abductions;
(vi) issue alerts and advisories at the request of law enforcement authorities to activate public assistance in locating an endangered missing person; and
(vii) facilitate training for law enforcement authorities related to missing persons cases, including resources available to assist with missing persons investigations.
(b) The missing persons specialist shall complete cultural competency training.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 273, L. 2019.