SB 132

Under existing law, there is no emergency alert system for missing or endangered veterans or service members of the armed forces

This bill would create the Emergency Missing Veteran Alert Program, similar to the existing missing persons alerts and "Amber Alerts," wherein the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency would disseminate "Green Alerts" to aid in the search for missing or endangered service members or veterans

This bill would require all law enforcement agencies to participate in the program, and any media broadcaster to voluntarily participate in the program

To create the Emergency Missing Veteran Alert Program; to provide for the issuing of media alerts when veterans or service members of the armed forces are missing; and to require the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency to implement the program; to require participation by local law enforcement agencies; to provide rulemaking authority; to provide procedures for the activation and deactivation of an alert; and to provide for limited immunity for broadcasters of an alert.

Section 1

This act shall be known and may be cited as the Emergency Missing Veteran Alert Act.

Section 2

The Missing Veteran Alert Act is enacted for the following purposes: (1) To provide a rapid response to missing or lost veterans or service members of the armed forces who are at risk of bodily harm or death. (2) To honor the past and present public service of veterans and service members, by providing them a potentially lifesaving public service in return.

Section 3

When used in this act, the following terms shall have the following meanings: (1) AGENCY. The Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency. (2) BROADCASTER. Any entity that is engaged in the business of broadcasting video or audio programs, whether through the public airwaves, by cable, by direct or indirect satellite transmissions, or by any other means of communication. (3) EMERGENCY MISSING VETERAN ALERT. A program entered into by the agency and other local and law enforcement agencies and available for voluntary entry by the Alabama Association of Broadcasters and broadcasters licensed to serve in the state, which provides that if the agency verifies that a veteran is missing or lost and in danger, a media alert is transmitted. The broadcasters participating in the program shall then issue a media alert. (4) VETERAN. For the purposes of this act, "veteran" includes any person honorably discharged from service in, or currently serving in, any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States of America. For purposes of this subdivision,

Armed Forces" includes the United States Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, and such term shall also include the units of those branches of the services having women troops. "Armed Forces" shall also include any reserve or national guard units of any branch, as well as the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Nurse Corps.

Section 4

(a) There is established a statewide Emergency Missing Veteran Alert System to be developed and implemented by the Secretary of the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, or his or her designee, who shall serve as the state coordinator of the alert system. (b) The agency shall implement this system in conjunction with any existing missing person notification system used by the agency. (c) All local law enforcement agencies shall participate in the alert system. (d) The agency shall prepare and implement a plan to educate and inform the public about the Emergency Missing Veteran Alert System and the importance of public participation in the program, as well as guidance on how to aid veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or other invisible injuries.

Section 5

An Emergency Missing Veteran Alert shall be activated by the agency when a veteran is reported missing and an investigation reveals the following: (1) The veteran is at risk of bodily harm or death. (2) There is enough descriptive information about the veteran to believe an immediate media alert would help investigators locate the person.

Section 6

(a) Once a determination has been made to activate the Emergency Missing Veteran Alert, the department shall do the following: (1) Issue a local media alert via email and fax indicating that a veteran is missing. (2) Prepare and send via email and fax the information and description of the missing veteran to the media in the appropriate area. (3) Supplement the information by descriptions or photographs of the veteran to all the participating broadcasters and the public through the following: a. Email description. b. Post the missing veteran's photograph on the agency's website. (b) Any alert issued under this act may include an advisory regarding a veteran's diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or other invisible injury, if such an advisory is deemed proper by the agency.

Section 7

(a) Once the veteran is found or the case is closed, the agency shall distribute a media alert cancellation to all participating broadcasters. (b) The agency shall notify broadcasters and other agencies of the cancellation.

Section 8

An entity or individual participating in the dissemination of an alert generated through the alert system under this act is not liable for any civil damages arising from the dissemination of the alert absent unreasonable, wanton, willful, or intentional conduct.

Section 9

The agency may adopt any rules necessary to implement this act. Section 10. This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.