NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The State Senate unanimously approved legislation on Monday creating a “Care Alert” system.
The system would enable local law enforcement agencies to enter a report to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and alert media outlets to promote the safe recovery of a missing person over the age of 18 with an intellectual, developmental or physical disability.
Senate Bill 1485, sponsored by Senator Mark Green (R-Clarksville), extends the definition of a “missing citizen” from a missing person over the age of 60 with dementia or physical impairment to include those over the age of 18 with an intellectual, developmental or physical disability.
“We already have the framework through the Amber Alert Program for missing children and Silver Alert Program for senior citizens with dementia or Alzheimer’s,” said Senator Green. “Like these programs, this legislation calls on local law enforcement agencies to work in tandem with the media and transportation officials in alerting the public when a person with intellectual or physical disabilities is missing.”
“There is a critical 24-hour time period in which to locate missing persons,” added Senator Green. “The Care Alert is designed to quickly disseminate descriptive information about the missing person, so that citizens in the affected area can be on the lookout for the endangered person and notify local law enforcement with any relevant information. This legislation brings a community to their aid in such a crisis to take advantage of the short window of time needed to bring these vulnerable citizens home to avert a tragedy. I am very pleased that it has passed the Senate.”