LANSING – State Representative Mark Meadows (D-East Lansing) today announced that the Senior Health, Security and Retirement Committee has recommended passage of his legislation that will set up a system to notify the public of missing senior citizens who are incapable of returning home without assistance, much like the AMBER Alert for missing children. The bill will now go to the House floor for a vote.
"Sadly, we've all heard stories in our communities about seniors with dementia or Alzheimer's who wandered away from their homes and were unable to find their way back before tragedy strikes," Meadows said. "But by working closely with local law enforcement agencies, we can avoid many of these tragedies. Communication and timeliness are the keys to making sure that missing seniors return home safely."
Meadows' bill will create a law requires law enforcement officials to issue a missing persons report as soon as specified information is obtained. The information would then be provided to several law enforcement reporting networks. The information provided must include a physical description of the senior; the date, place and time of the senior's last known whereabouts; the senior's address; information gathered about the senior's disappearance; and a statement about the disappearance by the officer in charge.
The bill also would require law enforcement personnel to alert news media, but places no mandates on broadcasters and journalists.
"The AMBER Alert has been a highly successful program," Meadows said. "More than 300 children have been rescued nationwide because of it, and it will serve as a great basis for a Senior Medical Alert. As the weather gets colder here in Michigan, every second is precious when it comes to a missing senior. I call on my colleagues in the House and Senate to support this legislation and give another level of security and protection to our seniors."