1. The Office of Advocate for Missing or Exploited Children is hereby created within the Office of the Attorney General. The Advocate for Missing or Exploited Children may be known as the Children’s Advocate.

2. The Attorney General shall appoint the Children’s Advocate. The Children’s Advocate is in the unclassified service of the State.

3. The Children’s Advocate:

(a) Must be an attorney licensed to practice law in this state;

(b) Shall advise and represent the Clearinghouse on all matters concerning missing or exploited children in this state; and

(c) Shall advocate the best interests of missing or exploited children before any public or private body.

4. The Children’s Advocate may:

(a) Appear as an amicus curiae on behalf of missing or exploited children in any court in this state;

(b) If requested, advise a political subdivision of this state concerning its duty to protect missing or exploited children;

(c) Recommend legislation concerning missing or exploited children; and

(d) Investigate and prosecute any alleged crime involving the exploitation of children, including, without limitation:

(1) Sex trafficking in violation of subsection 2 of NRS 201.300;

(2) A violation of subsection 1 of NRS 201.301;

(3) A violation of NRS 201.320; or

(4) A violation of NRS 201.395.

5. Upon request by the Children’s Advocate, a district attorney or local law enforcement agency in this state shall provide all information and assistance necessary to assist the Children’s Advocate in carrying out the provisions of this section.

6. The Children’s Advocate may apply for any available grants and accept gifts, grants, bequests, appropriations or donations to assist the Children’s Advocate in carrying out his or her duties pursuant to this section. Any money received by the Children’s Advocate must be deposited in the Special Account for the Support of the Office of Advocate for Missing or Exploited Children, which is hereby created in the State General Fund.

7. Interest and income earned on money in the Special Account must be credited to the Special Account.

8. Money in the Special Account may only be used for the support of the Office of Advocate for Missing or Exploited Children and its activities pursuant to subsection 2 of NRS 201.300, subsection 1 of NRS 201.301, NRS 201.320, 201.395 and 432.150 to 432.220, inclusive.

9. Money in the Special Account must remain in the Special Account and must not revert to the State General Fund at the end of any fiscal year.

(Added to NRS by 1993, 1373; A 2013, 2439; 2019, 1826, 2637)