To: Governor Joe Kiernan Hon. Richard G. Lugar (R) Hon. Evan Bayh (D) Mayor Bart Peterson In Indiana, alone, there are 400 missing children\'s cases listed on the Indiana Missing Children\'s Clearinghouse. However, due to problems with follow-up once a child\'s name is added to the list, many of those children may not actually be missing. Currently the law requires that law enforcement agencies wait 30 days after the initial report is taken before placing a child\'s name on the clearinghouse list. After placement on the list State law only requires one follow up to check the status of the case 60 days after placement. Federal law requires an additional follow up 120 days after the name is placed on the list. After 120 days no further follow-up is necessary and names are allowed to remain on the list indefinitely. This allows the cases of those children placed on the list to fall through cracks. We, the Undersigned, propose that the law be changed to make follow-up reporting mandatory every 30 days from the time a child is listed on the clearinghouse as missing until each case is successfully resolved with that child being located. We propose that a volunteer organization such as Safe At Home be allowed to make calls to family members of children listed to clear any names of children who are not actually missing from the list. After the list is cleared of names that do not need to be on it Safe At Home would make those required follow-up calls every 30 days and make appropriate reports to State Police Officials who have the power to remove those names of children who are safe at home from the list. By allowing volunteers to handle the follow-ups this allows law enforcement officials the freedom to concentrate on listing children who really need to be located. No child should be allowed to fall through the cracks. Sincerely, Safe At Home

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