Assemblyman Cook's "Chelsea's Law" clears first hurdle

RIVERSIDE - An Inland Empire lawmaker's bill to ensure law enforcement officials have comprehensive procedures in place to investigate missing persons cases cleared its first hurdle in the state Senate, it was announced today.

Assemblyman Paul Cook, R-Beaumont, joined Assemblyman Pedro Nava, D- Santa Barbara, in authoring AB 33, which was approved 7-0 by the Senate Public Safety Committee on Tuesday.

The legislation was initiated at the request of the father of 14-year- old Amber Dubois of Escondido, who was abducted, sexually assaulted and slain by John Albert Gardner III last year.

Gardner,...