HF 3515

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 02/17/2022 02:18pm

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 a criminal
penalty; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 626.

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

Section 1.

[626.97] SILVER ALERT SYSTEM.

Subdivision 1.

Establishment.

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.

Subd. 2.

Criteria and procedures.

The commissioner, in consultation with the
commissioners of health, human services, and transportation; the superintendent of the
Bureau of Criminal Apprehension; the AMBER Alert coordinator; the executive director
of the Board on Aging; and representatives from 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, 2022, the
commissioner shall adopt criteria and procedures for the Silver Alert system.

Subd. 3.

Oversight.

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.

Subd. 4.

Scope.

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.

Subd. 5.

Additional notice.

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

Subd. 6.

False reports.

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