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Sammy Linebaugh Reporting.... A child safety bill that includes the much talked about Amber Alert System is on it's way to the President's Desk. Both the house and senate voted in favor of the measure last night. Today, Elizabeth Smart's family responded to the news.
The President has already said he'll sign off on the bill creating a national child protection network.
The bill requires every state to have an emergency alert system. So when a child goes missing, all radio and television broadcasters are notified. Freeway signs are immediately activated locally, and if necessary, nationwide.
Here in Utah, we already have an alert system in place, it's called the Rachel Alert System.
It was activated for the first time when Elizabeth Smart was taken last summer.
Her family, today, issued a statement:
"Our family applaudes the bipartisan effort in which egos were put aside and the right thing was done. This bill surpasses any expectation we had. It sends a strong message to those who think they can take advantage of our children that the odds are now against them."
Elizabeth's father Ed has been a strong proponent for getting some sort of child protection package passed.
There's been controversy among congressional leaders over added provisions reducing federal judges' discretion in sentencing criminals.
Last night Senators put differences aside, passing the Amber Alert bill unanimously.
