HF 380

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 02/01/2023 05:18pm

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; creating a Silver Alert system to aid in locating missing
persons who are senior citizens with cognitive impairments; providing for penalties;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 626.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [626.97] SILVER ALERT SYSTEM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of public safety shall establish a Silver
Alert system to aid in the identification, location, and recovery of missing persons who are
senior citizens with dementia, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, or other cognitive
impairments. The commissioner shall coordinate with local law enforcement agencies and
public and commercial television and radio broadcasters to provide an effective alert system.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Criteria and procedures. new text end

new text begin The commissioner, in consultation with the
commissioner of health, the commissioner of human services, the commissioner of
transportation, the superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the AMBER
Alert coordinator, the executive director of the Board on Aging, and representatives of the
following groups: Elder Care Alliance, the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, the
Minnesota Sheriffs' Association, the Minnesota Broadcasters Association, the Alzheimer's
Association, and the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance, shall develop criteria and procedures
for the Silver Alert system. By October 1, 2023, the commissioner shall adopt criteria and
procedures for the Silver Alert system.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Oversight. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall regularly review the function of the Silver
Alert system and revise its criteria and procedures to provide for efficient and effective
public notification.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Scope. new text end

new text begin The Silver Alert system shall include all state and local agencies capable
of providing urgent and timely information to the public, together with broadcasters and
other private entities that volunteer to participate in the dissemination of urgent public
information.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Additional notice. new text end

new text begin The commissioner may notify authorities and entities outside
of the state upon verification that the criteria established under this section have been met.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin False reports. new text end

new text begin A person who knowingly makes a false report that triggers an
alert under this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.
new text end