Rep. Craig Hosmer to head AMBER Alert System study

Rep. Craig Hosmer was tapped by Missouri Speaker of the House Jim Kreider to head the House Interim Committee on the Prevention of Child Abduction and Kidnapping.

The committee will study the implementation of an integrated statewide notification system, often known as AMBER Alert.

AMBER refers to America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response, which has been successful in the location and return of missing children to their families in other states. The committee also will review current procedures for preventing child abductions, and study methods of locating missing children.

"Nothing is more devastating to a parent than the sudden kidnapping of their child, and when it happens, there is certainly a need for speed," Kreider said.

"Through the work of this committee, I am confident that it will be possible to implement a statewide alert system in Missouri capable of locating missing children before it's too late."

The committee is expected to hold statewide hearings and release a report by the end of the year.