Every missing child matters: New Ebony Alert System legislation seeks equal urgency for missing black and brown youth
Southeast Delegation June 3, 2026 | 3:47 PM
HARRISBURG, June 3 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives Children & Youth Committee on Tuesday reported out legislation (H.B. 434) by state Reps. Gina Curry and Carol Kazeem’s that would establish an Ebony Alert System in Pennsylvania dedicated to finding missing Black and Brown youth, including young women and girls.
According to the two Delaware County legislators, Black children accounted for 40% of all children under 18 reported missing in the United States in 2023, despite Black Americans comprising only 14% of the nation’s population. Similarly, Black women and girls represent approximately 18% of all missing persons cases while making up just 7% of the population. The lawmakers argue that cases involving missing children of color—particularly Black children—often receive less attention because they are disproportionately classified as runaways. That designation can prevent AMBER Alerts from being issued, reducing the law enforcement and public resources devoted to recovery efforts and limiting media coverage of their disappearances.
Lack of media coverage of missing Black children -- just 7% according to one study -- has a devastating impact on the chances of recovery of missing Black children. Media attention raises public awareness and puts law enforcement on alert, resulting in them contributing critical resources to finding children.
“Despite making up a significant percentage of missing child cases, missing Black children receive less attention in the press and by the public, resulting in lost opportunities to generate leads and locate them,” Kazeem, D-Delaware, said. “Ebony Alerts would amplify cases that might otherwise receive little attention and help engage communities in the effort to bring missing children home safely.”
Kazeem said that the disproportionate number of Black children going missing is due to structural inequalities, such as poverty, housing instability and overrepresentation in the foster care system. These factors make Black children more vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation than white children.
The legislation would help provide equity for Black and Brown communities as the AMBER Alert system, despite its race-neutral design, has resulted in racially disparate outcomes.
A 2023 USA Today investigation reviewing AMBER Alert data going back to 2017 found that alerts helped white and Hispanic children in 1 in 3 cases, but missing Black children were helped in only 1 in 7 cases, even though Black children receive AMBER Alerts at the same rate they are reported missing.
“Every missing child deserves an urgent response from law enforcement, the media, and the public. Far too often, however, missing Black and Brown children do not receive the same level of attention as missing white children,” Kazeem said. “An Ebony Alert System would provide equity for Black and Brown families by strengthening communication among law enforcement, media outlets, and the public.”
The legislation is based on California’s Ebony Alert System. Introduced in 2024, in its first year, 31 Ebony Alerts were issued, resulting in 27 recoveries.
Where the AMBER Alert system’s strict activation criteria require confirmed abduction, imminent danger and sufficient information for missing children under 17, the Ebony Alert System is activated for unexplained or suspicious disappearances of Black youth in the 12-25 age range. Law enforcement considers factors such as potential danger, trafficking risk, or environmental threats.
Based on California law, H.B. 434 would require the Pennsylvania State Police to establish and maintain an Ebony Alert System that would provide prompt notification to the public, appropriate law enforcement authorities, and other public agencies to assist in the recovery of young people of color who have been abducted, are reported missing under unexplained or suspicious circumstances, or are reported missing and are at risk, developmentally disabled, cognitively impaired, or physically disabled.
The legislation includes penalties for anyone who intentionally or recklessly causes an Ebony Alert to be issued without cause. Violators would be subject to a civil penalty of up to $5,000. Additionally, the bill would impose fees on individuals convicted of certain crimes to help fund the establishment and ongoing operation of the Ebony Alert System.
“The rate of Black youth reported missing each year is staggering. The lack of attention paid to their cases by the media, the public, and authorities is abhorrent. These are beautiful, loved, and promising young people who deserve help and justice,” said Curry. “An Ebony Alert System isn’t just an idea. It’s a tool that has proven effective in California in protecting some of our most vulnerable residents. It’s not something we would like to have -- it’s something we need to have. And House Bill 434 will make that a reality.”
“All children matter, and no family should feel their loved one’s disappearance is overlooked because of the color of their skin, their socioeconomic status, or the neighborhood they come from,” Kazeem said. “By establishing an Ebony Alert System, we would take a meaningful step toward closing the awareness gap surrounding missing Black and Brown children, improving public safety, and bringing hope to families experiencing their worst nightmare—a missing child.
“House Bill 434 would help our law enforcement agencies fulfill their fundamental duty: protecting children’s lives.”
Curry first introduced the legislation in 2024 and reintroduced it in 2025.
The bill is now on its way to the House floor for full consideration.