HF 1191

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 02/26/2015 05:24pm

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; 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, 2015, 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