SB12 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

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

SB 12 expands the Missing Senior Citizen and Endangered Persons Alert program to include missing and endangered persons with mental or physical disabilities at risk of harm or death, using rapid media alerts to help locate them.

What This Bill Does

Expands existing law to cover missing or endangered persons who live with mental or physical disabilities, including Alzheimer's, dementia, or autism. Creates a voluntary alert program involving the Department, local law enforcement, and broadcasters to quickly share information when a person is missing. Establishes activation criteria, requires certain trainings, and requires dissemination of alerts with descriptions and photos, plus a process to cancel alerts when the person is found.

Who It Affects

• Missing senior citizens and endangered persons who have mental or physical disabilities (including Alzheimer's, dementia, or autism) and their caregivers, who would receive or benefit from rapid media alerts to help locate them.
• Law enforcement agencies and broadcast/media partners (including broadcasters and the Alabama Association of Broadcasters) that participate in the alert program and help disseminate alerts and related information.

Key Provisions

• Renames the program as the Missing Senior Citizen and Endangered Persons Alert Act and expands its scope to include mentally or physically disabled individuals at risk of bodily harm or death.
• Creates a voluntary Missing Senior Citizen and Endangered Persons Alert program involving the department, local law enforcement, and broadcasters to issue media alerts when a qualifying person is missing.
• Defines key terms (ACJIC, BROADCASTER, DEPARTMENT, ALERT) and outlines the conditions under which an alert can be activated, including caregiver proof for certain conditions and broad applicability to Alzheimer's or dementia regardless of age.
• Requires first responder training for missing persons with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia when available, and directs use of trained personnel in searches if possible.
• Specifies how alerts are disseminated (local media alerts via email/fax, posting photos on the department website) and the steps to cancel alerts once the person is found, including notifying other agencies.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after it is signed by the Governor.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Missing Persons