BOSTON, MA — Massachusetts is exploring the adoption of an Ebony Alert system similar to California’s, specifically aimed at aiding the search for missing black individuals.
The initiative in California, established through Senate Bill 673, adds a specialized tool for law enforcement to quickly disseminate information about the suspicious or unexplained disappearances of black individuals to the public.
The Massachusetts bill introduces several measures to enhance the protection of black women and girls throughout the state. According to SECTION 1 of the proposed legislation, the General Court recognizes the need for collective action to mitigate systemic harms disproportionately affecting black women and girls.
The measures include the establishment of an executive office dedicated to missing and murdered black women and girls. This office would coordinate efforts to address these systemic issues.
Additionally, the bill proposes the creation of a permanent, community-centered advisory committee focused on the same demographic. Another key component is the introduction of an Ebony Alert notification system, which would operate similarly to California’s but specifically target missing black women and girls under suspicious circumstances. The legislation also aims to enhance coordination and data collection on missing person cases, homicides, and Ebony Alerts, including case management and best practices.
This comprehensive approach hopes to provide a more effective response to the challenges faced by black women and girls in Massachusetts.
A similar effort is also underway in New York.