Bill Text: NJ SR103 | 2026-2027 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes May 25, 2026 as "Missing Children's Day" in NJ.
Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced) 2026-05-28 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee [SR103 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2026-SR103-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT
District 31 (Hudson)
Senator CARMEN F. AMATO, JR.
District 9 (Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes May 25, 2026 as "Missing Children's Day" in NJ.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution establishing May 25, 2026 as "Missing Children's Day" in New Jersey.
Whereas, A child is considered to be missing if their whereabouts are unknown at any point in time; and
Whereas, Missing children can be divided into multiple categories which can include endangered runaway, family abduction, non-family abduction, abandoned or unaccompanied minor, and lost, injured or otherwise missing; and
Whereas, According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Crime Information Center there were over 349,557 reports of missing children in 2024; and
Whereas, Missing children represent the majority of missing persons cases despite making up roughly one-fifth of the population in the United States, accounting for over 65 percent of all the cases reported in 2024; and
Whereas, Children who are most at risk to go missing include, but are not limited to, children with autism, children in foster care, children who are absent from education at a higher rate, children with parental issues, and children with mental health problems; and
Whereas, Children who go missing are highly vulnerable and face increased risks of physical violence and homelessness; and
Whereas, It is important that missing children get reported as quickly as possible, according to the United States Department of Justice the first three hours following a child's disappearance are the most important in ensuring the child is returned home safely; and
Whereas, May 25 has been nationally recognized as "National Missing Children's Day" since 1983 and internationally recognized as "International Missing Children's Day" since 2001; and
Whereas, "National Missing Children's Day" was established to honor Etan Patz, a six-year-old boy who disappeared on his way to school in New York City in 1979 and whose case became a symbol of the movement to protect children in the United States; and
Whereas, Public awareness of how children go missing and recognizing who is most at risk is important in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the children who live in New Jersey; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House establishes May 25, 2026 as "Missing Children's Day" in New Jersey to recognize children who have gone missing and the families, law enforcement, and organizations working towards bringing missing children home.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Children and Families.
STATEMENT
This resolution designates May 25, 2026 as "Missing Children's Day" in New Jersey. According to the National Crime Information Center there were over 349,557 reports of missing children in 2024. Although children represent roughly one-fifth of the population in the United States, they make up nearly 65 percent of all missing persons cases. Children who go missing face increased risks of physical violence and homelessness. It is important that the state of New Jersey recognizes this day in order to raise public awareness of missing children and to recognize the efforts of all of those involved in working to bring missing children home.
