SF3007

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to improve public safety by establishing specific conditions under which a missing person may be considered endangered. It mandates the creation of policies and procedures for issuing public alerts about missing and endangered individuals. Additionally, the bill seeks to set up a Public and Local Alert Advisory Board to guide these efforts.

Main Provisions

• Definition of Endangered Persons: The bill clarifies what constitutes an endangered missing person. Factors include abduction, dangerous circumstances, medical needs, lack of a history of running away, mental or cognitive impairments, potential abduction by a noncustodial parent, and known threats or acts of violence.

• Public Alert System: The Minnesota commissioner of public safety is tasked with developing a framework for public alerts about missing and endangered persons. This includes deciding the criteria for alerts, the information to be shared, how alerts interact with local networks, and the geographic scope of alerts.

• Public and Local Alert Advisory Board: The bill proposes the formation of a new advisory board to assist with creating and implementing alert protocols. The board will include members from various state departments, law enforcement, and organizations dedicated to health, aging, Alzheimer's, autism, and mental health.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill amends existing statutes to expand the definition of an endangered person and includes more specific circumstances under which a missing person can be considered endangered.
• It introduces a new structure for public alerts and requires the establishment of a permanent advisory board that will provide ongoing advice on missing and endangered persons alerts.

Relevant Terms

missing person, endangered person, public alert, abduction, cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s, autism, advisory board, public safety, alert system, law enforcement, Minnesota statutes, human services, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, AMBER Alert, mental health, dementia.