SECTION 1. To provide for certain costs associated with the compensation of private investigators aiding in the search for missing children under the custody of the department of children and families, the sum set forth in section 2E is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the trust fund named within the item and established pursuant to this act.

SECTION 2E.

Department of Children and Families

4800-XXXX  For an operating transfer to the Missing Children Investigation Trust Fund established pursuant to section 2LLLL of chapter 29 of the General Laws……………$200,000.

SECTION 3. Section 3 of chapter 18B of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:-

(d) The department may compensate private investigators licensed pursuant to sections 22 to 30, inclusive, of chapter 147 to aid in the search for any child who, while under the custody of the department, went missing or whose current whereabouts are unaccounted for. For purposes of the subsection “child” shall mean a person under the age of 18. The department shall compensate private investigators at a rate of $50 per hour for services rendered pursuant to this subsection. The department may promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this subsection.

SECTION 4. Chapter 29 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 2KKKK the following section:-

Section 2LLLL. There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a separate fund to be known as the Missing Children Investigation Trust Fund, which shall be administered by the commissioner of the department of children and families. Funds from the trust fund shall be expended to hire private investigators licensed pursuant to sections 22 to 30, inclusive, of chapter 147 to search for missing children pursuant to subsection (d) of section 3 of chapter 18B. Amounts credited to the trust fund shall not be subject to further appropriation. The secretary shall report, on or before December 31 of each year, to the house and senate committees on ways and means on expenditure activity within the trust fund.