HF 12

1st Engrossment - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/10/2015 08:02am

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; creating a Blue Alert system to aid in the apprehension
of those who kill or injure law enforcement officers; 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 [626.96] BLUE 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
Blue Alert system to aid in the identification, location, and apprehension of an individual
or individuals suspected of killing or seriously wounding a local, state, or federal law
enforcement officer. 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 Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training, the Minnesota Police and Peace
Officers Association, the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, the Minnesota Sheriffs
Association, the Minnesota Chapter of the National Emergency Number Association, the
Minnesota Chapter of the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials, and
the commissioner of transportation, shall develop criteria and procedures for the Blue
Alert system. By October 1, 2015, the commissioner shall adopt criteria and procedures
for the Blue 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
Blue 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 Blue 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

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin For the purposes of this section, "law enforcement officer"
means any public servant having both the power and duty to make arrests for violations
of the laws of the state, and federal public servants authorized to carry firearms and to
make arrests for violations of the laws of the United States.
new text end