State Representative Juana Matias was joined by Lawrence Police Chief James Fitzpatrick and Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes to testify before the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on behalf of H.3615: An Act relative to Massachusetts policy and procedures for missing and abducted children, also known as Lee Manuel’s Law. Additionally, Lawrence delegation members, State Representative Frank Moran, State Representative Diana DiZoglio, and State Senator Barbara L’Italien submitted written testimony in support of the bill.
Representative Matias opened the bill’s hearing with her testimony, introducing its background and importance. The Representative spoke of a young Lawrence teenager, Lee Manuel Paulino, who had gone missing late last year and tragically lost his life. Representative Matias went on to explain that she then became very familiar with state laws regarding missing and abducted children, only to find that “there is no well-established, uniform policy or regulations for responding to missing and abducted children in the Commonwealth.”
The story of the Lawrence teen and the lack of state uniformity regarding this issue is why Representative Matias has partnered with Chiefs of Police in Massachusetts as well as the Director of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association (MCPA) in order to introduce what she stated is “a policy that would be pragmatic, measured, useful for local law enforcement, and would not burden departments.”
Throughout the remainder of the Representative’s testimony, she provided a detailed breakdown of what the bill would do if it became law, ultimately concluding to the Joint Committee that the “legislation would give all police departments established guidelines and knowledge to appropriately and effectively respond to the challenges of missing and abducted children cases.”
Lawrence Police Chief Fitzpatrick stated that at the time the teen went missing, the Department “did not have a comprehensive policy in place… This is a difficult subject to deal with as a Police Chief and as police officers who try to make sure these kids that are most vulnerable are protected, so I am here in support of [H]3615.”
In addition, Chelsea Police Chief Kyes, who is also the President of the Massachusetts Major City Chiefs Association, testified that “when preliminary facts and circumstances indicate that the child may have been abducted, or that the child is considered to be at risk, it can be one of the most challenging and emotionally charged investigations that police officers will ever face. With that in mind, it is absolutely essential that police departments across the Commonwealth have the requisite investigatory police policy in place…to provide the necessary direction and guidance.”
“H. 3615 requires the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to promulgate Massachusetts Policy and Procedures for missing and Abducted Children’s Investigations. The guide will establish comprehensive minimum standards that law enforcement agencies through the Commonwealth should reference and implement accordingly in their practices and training of law enforcement officers,” supported Rep. Frank Moran.
“In the City of Lawrence and across the Commonwealth, we have seen a remarkable lack of uniformity on policies and procedures pertaining to missing and abducted children investigations at the municipal and state levels,” said Rep. Diana DiZoglio. “Procedures vary from department to department, without specific state guidance on appropriate practices to be implemented.”
