BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                                  AB 376
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   April 20, 2005

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                   Judy Chu, Chair

                   AB 376 (Mountjoy) - As Amended:  April 11, 2005

          Policy Committee:                              Public  
          SafetyVote:  7-0

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program:  
          Yes    Reimbursable:              No

           SUMMARY  

          This bill makes it a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in  
          county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000, to knowingly file a  
          false report to a law enforcement agency that an abduction has  
          occurred, with the intent to activate the Emergency Alert System  
          (Amber Alert).  

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          Minor, if any, nonreimbrusable local incarceration costs, offset  
          in part by increased fine revenue. It is currently a misdemeanor  
          to knowingly file a false report, as specified. 

           COMMENTS  

           Rationale  . The author's intent is to discourage any  
          inappropriate use of the Emergency Alert System that could  
          desensitize the public and limit the effectiveness of the  
          system.


           Analysis Prepared by  :    Geoff Long / APPR. / (916) 319-2081