Department of Justice: online missing person registry.

Children Parental Rights

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Castillo
Last action: 2026-02-02
Official status: From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not specify which organizations the Attorney General must consult.

Department of Justice: Online Missing Person Registry

The bill requires the Attorney General to create an electronic database for reporting and searching missing children information with help from certain groups, and offers free DNA testing to confirm parentage.

What This Bill Does

Creates a new online system where people can report when a child is missing.
Allows people to search the database for information about missing children.
Requires the Attorney General to work with specific organizations to create this system.
Offers free DNA testing to confirm parentage for parents who are reunited with their missing children.

Who It Names or Affects

Parents and guardians of missing children
The public reporting or searching for missing children information
The Department of Justice

Terms To Know

Attorney General: A government official who is in charge of legal matters for a state.
DNA testing: A process that examines genetic material to confirm family relationships.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify which organizations the Attorney General must consult.
It is unclear how much funding will be provided for this new system and DNA tests.

Bill History

2026-02-02 California Legislative Information
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
2026-01-31 California Legislative Information
Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
2025-04-16 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, second hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
2025-04-02 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
2025-03-11 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2025-03-10 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. Read second time and amended.
2025-03-10 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on PUB. S. and P. & C.P.
2025-02-24 California Legislative Information
Read first time.
2025-02-22 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 24.
2025-02-21 California Legislative Information
Introduced. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1321, as amended, Castillo.
Department of Justice: online missing person registry.
Existing law requires the Attorney General to establish an online, automated computer system designed to effect an immediate law enforcement response to reports of missing persons. Existing law requires the online missing persons registry to accept and generate specified information on a missing person. Existing law also requires the Attorney General to establish a separate and confidential historic database relating to missing children and at-risk adults, for statistical and research purposes, as specified.
This bill would require the Attorney General to establish, in consultation with specified groups, agencies, and organizations, an electronic database and support system, as specified, for the public to report and search for missing children, as specified.
The bill would require that parents reunified with children be offered free DNA testing to confirm parentage.
This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to those provisions.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF