(a) A law enforcement agency shall commence a search for a missing person as soon as a report is received.

(b) Any rule specifying an automatic time limitation before commencing a missing person investigation shall be invalid.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the search for a missing person whose whereabouts is unknown within the backcountry, remote areas, or waters of the State shall be conducted as provided in subchapter 2 of this chapter. (Added 1985, No. 254 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. June 4, 1986; amended 2013, No. 26, § 1, eff. May 13, 2013.)