HB455 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Merika ColemanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Missing persons, alert law which creates an alert system for persons 18-64, Alabama Critically Missing Adult Alert Program, established

Summary

HB455 creates the Alabama Critically Missing Adult Alert Program (Aniah Alert) to help locate missing adults ages 18–64 by coordinating alerts between law enforcement and the media through ALEA on a voluntary basis.

What This Bill Does

It establishes definitions for a critically missing adult and the alert program, and sets policies and standards for how alerts are created and shared. Local law enforcement and media can voluntarily enter alert agreements to notify the public, with ALEA guiding the process. Alerts can be local, regional, or statewide; local agencies decide locally (in consultation with ALEA), while ALEA can authorize larger-scale alerts, and alerts are canceled when the person is located and reported to ALEA.

Who It Affects

• Adults aged 18–64 who are missing or believed to be critically missing, who would be targeted by the new alert system.
• Local law enforcement agencies and media outlets in Alabama, who participate voluntarily to issue and disseminate Critically Missing Adult Alerts and coordinate with ALEA.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama Critically Missing Adult Alert Program (Aniah Alert Law) with defined terms such as critically missing adult, alert, alert agreement, report, and program.
• Requires ALEA to develop uniform policies and standards, inform local agencies, assist in determining geographic scope, and verify information before alerts are issued.
• Keeps participation voluntary for local law enforcement and media, with local alerts decided locally (in consultation with ALEA) and regional/state alerts at ALEA's discretion.
• Specifies that alerts include essential information to aid safe recovery, can be local/regional/state, and must be canceled and reported to ALEA when the missing adult is located; ALEA may adopt implementing rules; law is known as The Aniah Alert Law; effective date defined.

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