Lawmaker wants to help find missing kids faster

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — State Representative Merleyn Bell wants to help streamline the process of finding missing kids by allowing law enforcement access to school photos.

"You’re sad, you’re scared, you’re alone," said Greta Richards. When her son Cody disappeared five years ago she had to cope with both emotional turmoil and logistical challenges.

"When Cody went missing, for example, there were a lot of, just a lot of things that we had to cross trying to get help," she said.

"Every second counts in those situations and when you’re a family member you want to do everything that you can," said Rep. Merleyn Bell, hoping to help ease the anguish by making school photos immediately accessible to law enforcement through HB3893.

"Why not put them in a database so that law enforcement can actually make sure that we’re locating a child as quickly as we can?" she said.

"To know that immediately the police have a picture. They don’t have to wait for you to find one or print one or send one, they have one right there at hand," said Richards.

To address privacy concerns, participation in the program would not be mandatory.

"Of course we want to make sure that parents have the option to opt into this," said Rep. Bell.

"Yeah there’s no invasion of privacy because people get to decide if they want to be part of it or not," said Richards.

House Bill 3893, pushing for one small step to help make a huge difference.

"I have a six-year-old son myself and I can only imagine the heartbreak and the trauma that comes from losing a family member," said Rep. Bell.

"I would really like to see this bill passed, I think it would be a really good avenue for the families," said Richards.

A similar bill recently became law in Montana.