HB42 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Laura HallRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Missing and endangered persons, to expand existing law to include missing and endangered persons suffering from a mental or physical disability who are at risk of bodily harm or death. Secs. 26-19A-1 to 26-19A-5, inclusive, am'd.

Summary

HB 42 expands the Missing Senior Citizen Alert to cover missing and endangered persons with mental or physical disabilities who are at risk of bodily harm or death.

What This Bill Does

The bill broadens the existing Missing Senior Citizen and Endangered Persons Alert Act to include individuals with mental or physical disabilities, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or autism. It creates a coordinated alert program involving the Department, ACJIC, local law enforcement, and broadcasters, and allows alerts to be activated when such a person is missing and at risk. For dementia-related cases, a caregiver’s statement can serve as proof, and alerts can be issued regardless of age. The bill also requires training for first responders when available and establishes clear steps for disseminating alerts and canceling them when the person is found.

Who It Affects

• Missing senior citizens and other endangered persons who have mental or physical disabilities, including Alzheimer's, dementia, or autism, and who are at risk of harm or death.
• Caregivers or family members of these individuals, whose statements may count as proof for dementia-related cases.
• Local law enforcement agencies and the Alabama Department (ACJIC) that coordinate alerts, searches, and communications.
• Broadcast media and licensed broadcasters who disseminate alerts and posted information to the public.

Key Provisions

• Expands the Missing Senior Citizen Alert to include missing and endangered persons with mental or physical disabilities, including Alzheimer's, dementia, or autism, who are at risk of bodily harm or death.
• Creates the Missing Senior Citizen and Endangered Persons Alert program with defined roles for the Department, ACJIC, and broadcasters.
• Allows alert activation when a person with disability is missing and at risk; dementia-related cases may be reported by caregiver statement as sufficient proof; alerts for Alzheimer's/dementia may be issued regardless of age.
• Requires rapid local reports and potential expansion of the search area; emphasizes use of trained personnel for searching when available.
• Mandates local media alerts via email/fax, distribution of information to media and the public, posting on the department website, and cancellation notices when the person is found.
• Effective date: the act takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Missing Persons