UNIFORM CRIME REPORTING

SYSTEM:  INCLUDE NamUs

House Bill 4633 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Tommy Brann

Committee:  Law and Justice

Complete to 2-12-18

SUMMARY:

House Bill 4633 would expand the list of state and national databases to which information about missing persons and the unidentified bodies of deceased persons must be reported to include the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.

Currently, when an individual is reported missing, an unidentified body is found, or an individual is found whose identify is unknown, the law enforcement agency receiving the report, after conducting a preliminary investigation, must immediately enter certain information regarding that individual into the state Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN), the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), and, if the individual is a child, the Michigan Child Information Clearinghouse. Information required to be submitted include the individual’s name and vital statistics, such as a physical description. If an individual has not been found within 30 days, the law enforcement agency receiving the report must seek the individual’s dental records and enter that information into the databases.

House Bill 4633 would amend Public Act 319 of 1968, known as the uniform crime reporting act, to require law enforcement agencies to enter the same information into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as is currently reported to LEIN, NCIC, and the state Missing Child Information Clearinghouse regarding a person reported missing or when an unidentified body is found. NamUs is a national, centralized repository and resource center for missing persons and the records of the deceased who are unknown. The NamUs database can be searched for free by medical examiners, coroners, law enforcement officials, and the general public to resolve cases of missing and unidentified bodies.

In addition to the types of information specifically listed in the act, several provisions require a law enforcement agency to also enter any other information that would assist in identifying a body, identifying an unknown individual, or locating a missing individual. The bill would also require the entry of any other information required to be entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.

The bill would take effect 90 days after being enacted.

MCL 28.258

FISCAL IMPACT:

This bill would have a minor fiscal impact on the Department of State Police (MSP) and local law enforcement agencies, the extent of which would be determined by the additional administrative and investigatory time needed to obtain information required by NamUs that is not already collected for inclusion in LEIN and NCIC, and the additional time needed to include already obtained information in the NamUs database. These costs would likely be covered by existing appropriations to the MSP.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Susan Stutzky

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Kent Dell

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.