1. (a) There is a State Clearinghouse for Missing Children operated by the Department of State Police that is responsible for:

   1. (1) the receipt, collection, and distribution of general information and annual statistics regarding missing children; and
   2. (2) coordination of law enforcement agencies and other interested persons or groups within and outside the State regarding information on children who have disappeared from, or are thought to be located in, Maryland.

2. (b) For children who have disappeared from or are thought to be located in the State, the State Clearinghouse for Missing Children:

   1. (1) shall publish:

      1. (i) the names of and relevant available information on missing children; and
      2. (ii) annual statistics regarding missing children; and
   2. (2) may establish and maintain a list of organizations and groups that provide volunteer search teams or resources relating to missing children.
3. (c) The Secretary of State Police may develop, in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies, a plan for voluntary fingerprinting programs for children.

Added by Acts 1985, c. 496, § 1, eff. July 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1987, c. 290, § 1, eff. July 1, 1987; Acts 1989, c. 539, § 7, eff. July 1, 1989; Acts 1994, c. 165, § 3, eff. July 1, 1994; Acts 1994, c. 166, § 3, eff. July 1, 1994; Acts 1995, c. 3, § 2, eff. March 7, 1995; Acts 1995, c. 8, § 4, eff. June 1, 1995; Acts 2003, c. 53, § 6, eff. July 1, 2003; Acts 2004, c. 25, § 1, eff. April 13, 2004; Acts 2012, c. 415, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2012; Acts 2016, c. 611, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2016.