Gov. Brad Henry signed legislation into law today that will create a statewide system to swiftly alert authorities when a senior citizen goes missing.
House Bill 2030, by state Rep. Kris Steele, directs the Department of Public Safety to develop and implement a statewide “silver alert” system to be activated on behalf of a missing senior citizen in cooperation with the Department of Transportation, the Department of Human Services, any local law enforcement agency, the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters and any other appropriate state or local agencies.
“The state’s Amber Alert system has proven invaluable in locating missing or kidnapped children,” said Steele, R-Shawnee. “I believe the Silver Alert will do the same in cases where an elderly person has walked away from a nursing home or simply cannot be located. I am pleased to see this legislation become law.”
In 2006, lawmakers approved a resolution calling for the creation of a Silver Alert system, but it is not required by law at this time.
The system is primarily designed to locate missing senior adults whose disappearance poses a threat to their safety or health. An additional provision of the law also allows the Silver Alert to be activated in the disappearance of a person with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or similar health issues.
Several other states have approved similar laws, Steele noted.
The new law will become effective Nov. 1, 2009.
Source. Oklahoma House of representatives Media Division, April 16, 2009; State Rep. Kris Steele (405) 557-7345
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