Arizona law enforcement agencies must now send missing child reports to the national center for missing children within 24 hours, share key details with media and on their social media within 24 hours (with exceptions), and train staff who handle these cases every 2 years.
Official title: missing; kidnapped children; reporting requirements
- September 12, 2026
What changes
BeforeWithin 2 hours of a report of a missing, kidnapped or runaway child, police had to send details, including a recent photo if available, to the Arizona and national crime information centers and to the national missing and unidentified persons system.
NowThe 2-hour deadline now covers only the Arizona and national crime information centers (name, birth date, physical traits, last known contact and category). The child's record must be entered in the national missing and unidentified persons system within 30 days, including, if available, a photo taken in the last 180 days and medical and dental records.
BeforePolice had to notify the national center for missing and exploited children only when the missing child was in the foster care system.
NowFor every missing, kidnapped or runaway child report, police must send the national center for missing and exploited children a recent photo if available, the child's name, birth date and physical traits, and the category within 24 hours. Police must make reasonable efforts to get a recent photo.
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NowWithin 24 hours of a report, police must give appropriate media outlets, and post on the agency's official social media, the child's full physical description, last known location, clothing, current photos if available and the agency's phone number.
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NowThese public posts may not call a child a runaway unless police decide that is needed for the child's safety or an active investigation. Police do not have to release the information if they decide it would interfere with finding the child or endanger the child, an investigation or catching a suspect. Police must document all decisions about releasing this information.
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NowEach law enforcement agency must create and regularly update training on these rules and train employees directly involved in missing children cases, including supervisors and dispatchers, when hired and once every 2 years. Separately, the required timing for seek and find alert training (for missing people with certain disabilities, dementia or age 65 or older) is reworded from "biannually" to "once every two years."
Who it affects
- Missing, kidnapped or runaway children and their families
- Law enforcement agencies in Arizona, including supervisors and dispatchers
- National center for missing and exploited children
- Media outlets
What you need to do
Nothing.
What the law doesn't answer
- Any penalty if a law enforcement agency misses these deadlines
- Which media outlets count as "appropriate"
- Whether families are told when police decide not to release information publicly
- How long public social media posts must stay up or when they are removed
- Whether any funding is provided for the new training requirements
- How often training criteria must be updated beyond "regularly"
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.