JEFFERSON CITY — A state senator from ºüÀêÊÓƵ outlined a new proposed Missouri law Wednesday aimed at assisting police in finding missing Black youths.
Sen. Karla May, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, said the proposed “Ebony Alert†system would work similar to the Amber Alert system, but would be geared toward Black youths between the ages of 14 and 25.
“It would ensure that missing African Americans get adequate attention,†May told members of the Senate Committee on Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety.
The law would be similar to one adopted in California last year. In addition, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a law in 2022 creating an alert system for missing Indigenous people.
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The plan would require the Missouri Department of Public Safety to develop regions to provide the system. The department would coordinate the system with local police and television and radio broadcasters.
When activated, police can disseminate information about the victim and urge the public to be on the lookout through electronic highway signs.
“Participation in an Ebony alert system is entirely at the option of local law enforcement agencies and federally licensed radio and television broadcasters,†the legislation notes.
According to figures from the National Crime Information Center, more than 140,000 Black children age 17 and under went missing in 2022, including more than 77,000 girls.
“This crisis is severely affecting Black women in Missouri,†May said.
Among those testifying in favor of the legislation was Olivia Pener of the Missouri NAACP State Conference. She said the additional alert system would raise awareness about missing African Americans.
“We believe it is important to listen to members of the Black community,†Pener said.
Patricia Henderson, a north ºüÀêÊÓƵ County resident, told the panel that she is concerned that Black youths in the area are endangered by the prevalence of abandoned buildings where they could be abducted and taken with few noticing.
“We feel like this bill will help with that,†Henderson said.
The committee took no action on the measure Wednesday.
May is seeking to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley. She is running against Democrat Lucas Kunce in the August primary.
The legislation is .
Missouri's Legislature reflects the federal structure in many ways. Video by Beth O'Malley
