Relates to establishing a purple alert program to assist in the location and safe recovery of missing vulnerable persons

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Patricia Fahy says this is needed

Every day, around 2,300 people are reported missing in the United States. In recognition of this, and to protect especially vulnerable populations, all 50 states have Amber Alert systems for abducted chil- dren, and 37 states have Silver Alert systems for missing elderly persons. These notification systems provide a critical, urgent service by notifying communities and greatly increasing the likelihood that the missing individual is found. According to the Department of Justice, since its creation in 1996, over 1,300 children have been found due to the activation of an Amber Alert. The tragic drowning of Harbe Nagi, a seven year old boy with autism from Guilderland, New York, brought to light a gap in the Amber Alert system, which is specifically targeted for abducted children, not children with special needs who may be missing. This legislation would direct the state police to establish a Purple Alert system that could be used to send out notifications to assist in locating people with disabilities. It would help fill a gap by coordinating law enforcement and mobilizing communities to quickly and safely locate missing individuals with intel- lectual and developmental disabilities. Individuals with developmental disabilities, such as autism or Down syndrome, or people with traumatic brain injuries, or other cognitive or neurological impairments, may be unable to communicate or care for themselves if they are lost or confused. These individuals are extremely vulnerable and a coordinated and fast response from law enforcement is critical in ensuring their safe recovery. By enacting this legislation, New York State would join six other states in creating a statewide Purple Alert system.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.