SB132 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to law enforcement; to amend Sections 26-19A-2, 26-19A-3, 26-19A-4, and 26-19A-5, Code of Alabama 1975, to expand missing and endangered persons alerts to include individuals who have been abducted; and to make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style.

Summary

SB132 expands missing and endangered alerts to cover abducted individuals at risk and updates related procedures and language.

What This Bill Does

The bill adds abducted persons to those who can trigger a Missing and Endangered Persons Alert when the person is at risk of bodily harm or death, in addition to those with certain disabilities or conditions. It requires broadcasters and the media to participate in transmitting alerts and sharing information to help locate the person. It allows caregiver statements about a person’s disability to count as proof for triggering an alert. It also outlines immediate search procedures, potential expansion beyond the local area, and a cancellation process once the person is found, plus a requirement for dementia-related first responder training when available.

Who It Affects

• Missing or endangered individuals, including those with mental or physical disabilities, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, autism, or those who have been abducted (as eligibility for alerts is broadened).
• Law enforcement agencies, the department, broadcasters/media outlets, and the public involved in issuing, transmitting, and responding to Missing and Endangered Persons Alerts (including associated training requirements for first responders).

Key Provisions

• Expanded alert eligibility to include abducted individuals at risk of bodily harm or death, in addition to missing persons with disabilities or certain conditions.
• Caregivers' statements that a missing person lives with a disability or condition are considered sufficient proof for triggering an alert.
• Activation and search procedures allow immediate local area searches and potential expansion beyond the local area, with coordination with the Alabama Center for Missing and Exploited Children and NCIC.
• Requires first responder training for missing persons with Alzheimer's disease or dementia to be used if available.
• Media dissemination requirements include local media alerts via email, sharing descriptions and photos with media and on the department website, and a formal cancellation process when the case is resolved.
• Nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update code language to current style.

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

Subjects

Law enforcement, expanded the situations where law enforcement can issue a missing and endangered person alert