Amber Alert bill goes to governor

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A bill increasing the penalty for intentionally causing a false Amber Alert is heading to the governor.<br/><br/>The bill by Representative Lucky Lamons calls for up to one year in

Thursday, April 21st 2005, 9:59 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A bill increasing the penalty for intentionally causing a false Amber Alert is heading to the governor.

The bill by Representative Lucky Lamons calls for up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000 for false reports of missing children. Current law calls for a fine of $500 and 30 days in jail.

Lamons original bill also raised the crime to a felony, but it was amended in the state Senate and remains a misdemeanor.

The Amber Alert system was installed in Oklahoma in 1999 and uses statewide signs, radio and television to help find missing children.

Lamons' bill was drafted after two false reports of missing children last year led to Amber Alerts.