Establishes May 25, 2026 as "Missing Children's Day" in NJ.

SR103

SENATE RESOLUTION No. 103

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED MAY 28, 2026

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.� �