The AMBER Alert Network was developed as a statewide emergency response system for abducted children. The network is designed to be activated in instances involving true child abductions. Activation of the network outside the established criteria will ultimately cause the public to disregard the notifications and the system will lose effectiveness. In order to maintain a high level of effectiveness, the department and local law enforcement must ensure that the circumstances justifying activation are accurately evaluated in order to implement the network in a responsible manner. AMBER Alert activations must be limited to those instances where the statutory criteria for activation are clearly established by the specific facts of the case.

Source Note: The provisions of this §9.21 adopted to be effective July 27, 2005, 30 TexReg 4216; amended to be effective December 14, 2020, 45 TexReg 8868