For the past several months, I've worked with Maurice "Moe" Dubois and Rebecca Smith of the "More Kids" organization and Assemblyman Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) on what are perhaps the most important of any of my bills during my time in Sacramento. Moe and Rebecca formed the More Kids organization following the tragic abduction, assault, and murder of Moe’s 14-year-old daughter, Amber Dubois, at the hands of a known sex offender. This same sex offender was also responsible for the murder of 17-year-old Chelsea King.

Through legislation – AB 33, AB 34, and AB 1022 – we’ve worked in a bipartisan fashion to reform and institute missing child guidelines throughout the state in every law enforcement agency, to provide coordination at the state level for investigation efforts, and to ensure that information on a missing child is submitted and distributed to the correct authorities in the shortest time possible. These are much needed and overdue changes that California needs, in order to keep our children safe and give ourselves the best chance to find missing children before they are harmed.

These bills should be taken up today in the State Senate. We expect that the bills will pass. They must then travel to the Assembly for a final vote before heading to the Governor's desk.

It's difficult to find joy in the potential for these bills to pass, given the origins of the legislation. That said, I'm extremely proud of our efforts, and believe Moe and Rebecca have done an immeasurable service to the children and families in this state. Out of tragedy, they have initiated changes in law that will help authorities and families see the safe return of our children.

I ask that you follow these bills and, at the appropriate time, ask the Governor to sign these important measures into law.