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DES MOINES, IOWA (AP) -- Efforts in the state Legislature to improve police handling of missing-children cases have advanced.

Sponsor Sen. Jeff Danielson said Monday he hoped the bill would help prevent cases like one that occurred last summer, when two young cousins from Evansdale went missing July 13. Their bodies were found in December.

Under the proposal, the state sex offender registry would be updated with registrants ranked based on the risk they pose. The statute of limitations would be lifted on prosecuting the sex abuse of children, and funding would be offered to law enforcement agencies that want help updating public notification systems about missing children.

Cedar Falls resident Robin Arnold gathered 1,500 signatures supporting the legislation to improve the response to missing child cases. She testified in favor of the bill.

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