Establishes a coordinated law enforcement adult rescue "teal alert" for missing adults

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Anthony H. Palumbo says this is needed

Gabby Petito was a 22-year-old woman from Long Island who went missing while traveling across the United States with her boyfriend. Even though her family did not hear from Gabby or see any social media posts from her for days, Gabby was not reported missing until 11 days after her last communication with her parents. The story became an international news story, and vigils were held around the globe day and night praying for her safe return. Tragically, Gabby's remains were ultimately found in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming eight days after she was reported missing and a total of 19 days since her parents last had contact with her. Gabby's death was ruled a homicide and although such an alert system may not have saved her, the investigation revealed that she had contact with several individuals during the final days of her life and had they known she was possibly in danger the result may have been different. The Ashanti's Alert Act is a national alert system that provides a voluntary nationwide alert/public notification system (like an AMBER alert for minors or a Silver Alert for seniors) when a missing adult between the ages of 18 and 64 goes missing. At present, only a few states currently participate in this network. This legislation would opt New York into the Ashanti's Alert Act allowing New York to join the network and to help save the lives of individuals between ages 18 and 64 who are missing, abducted or in danger. New York has established coordinated law enforcement alert systems for missing children and missing vulnerable adults with mental health issues but there is currently no similar system for adults who are not consid- ered "vulnerable". This bill would create an Amber Alert type system that would allow for early reports of missing adults, including victims of domestic violence who are believed to be in danger and would ensure that information related to their disappearance is quickly disseminated to the public to help, allowing for a greater likelihood that the miss- ing adult is found safe and unharmed. The Gabby Petito case evoked tremendous sympathy and awareness regarding this issue. Friends, families and advocates wore teal-colored ribbons on her behalf representing her green/blue eye color. In line with the AMBER and Silver Alerts, this public notice would be designated a "Teal" Alert.

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.