2
3
4
5
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill creates a Silver Alert Notification System for missing endangered adults.
10 Highlighted Provisions:
11 This bill:
12 ▸ defines "endangered adult" as a person 60 years of age or older with dementia;
13 ▸ requires the Department of Public Safety to develop an alert system similar to the
14 Amber Alert System for endangered adults;
15 ▸ requires that the system utilize highway signage in the geographical area where the
16 person went missing; and
17 ▸ allows the department to make rules to set requirements for alerts.
18 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
19 None
20 Other Special Clauses:
21 None
22 Utah Code Sections Affected:
23 ENACTS:
24 53-10-701, Utah Code Annotated 1953
25 53-10-702, Utah Code Annotated 1953
26 53-10-703, Utah Code Annotated 1953
27 53-10-704, Utah Code Annotated 1953
28
29 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
30 Section 1. Section 53-10-701 is enacted to read:
31
32 53-10-701. Title -- Creation.
33 (1) This part is known as the "Utah Silver Alert Act."
34 (2) There is created the Utah Silver Alert Notification System (Silver Alert) for
35 missing and endangered adults to be administered by the department.
36 Section 2. Section 53-10-702 is enacted to read:
37 53-10-702. Definitions.
38 As used in this part:
39 (1) "Dementia" means a person has a form of cognitive decline that significantly
40 affects the person's ability to make decisions and provide for health, safety, or self care. This
41 term includes Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia marked by the continual loss of
42 memory and awareness of surroundings.
43 (2) "Endangered adult" means a person 60 years of age or older or a person under 60
44 years of age who has a form of dementia.
45 Section 3. Section 53-10-703 is enacted to read:
46 53-10-703. Silver Alert Notification System -- Law enforcement and department
47 responsibilities.
48 (1) The department shall develop a quick response system designed to issue and
49 coordinate alerts following the report of a missing endangered adult. The system shall utilize
50 the same coordination as the Amber Alert System with the following exceptions:
51 (a) the National Emergency Broadcast System may not be activated; and
52 (b) notification to the Department of Transportation for the activation of highway
53 signage shall indicate the specific area in which the person was last seen so that signs only in
54 that geographical area will be activated.
55 (2) Upon receiving a report of a missing adult, the law enforcement officer shall
56 determine whether the missing adult meets the criteria to be designated as an endangered adult.
57 (3) If it is determined that the missing adult is an endangered adult, the officer
58 investigating the person's disappearance shall request the department activate the Silver Alert
59 Notification System.
60 Section 4. Section 53-10-704 is enacted to read:
61 53-10-704. Rulemaking authority.
62 The department shall make rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah
63 Administrative Rulemaking Act, establishing policies, procedures, and a timeline for the:
64 (1) request for a Silver Alert by a law enforcement officer or agency;
65 (2) activation of the Silver Alert Notification System;
66 (3) duration of the Silver Alert; and
67 (4) cancellation of a Silver Alert.