Creates the missing vulnerable adults clearinghouse

Title of bill

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to creating the missing vulnerable adults clearinghouse

Purpose

To enact a missing vulnerable adult alert system for New York State.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 adds a new section 837-FF to the executive law, creating. missing vulnerable adults clearinghouse modeled on the Amber Alert statute.

Section 2 is a severability clause.

Section 4 establishes an effective date.

Justification

Last year, a Syracuse woman who suffers from Alzheimer's disease left her home in the middle of the night and, though the help of several good Samaritans, traveled all the way to her former home in New Haven, Connecticut. Medical authorities were only alerted after she discovered someone living in her former house and became disoriented. This incident and others like it demonstrate the need for a missing vulnerable adult alert system for cognitively impaired residents similar to the "Amber Alert" system. By enacting this law, New York would join several other states, including Illinois, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Texas, in taking steps to assist families of cognitively impaired adults with locating their missing loved ones.

Legislative history

Similar to A.10265B of 2007-2008.

Fiscal implications

Cost to the state is negligible because the missing vulnerable adults clearinghouse created by this legislation would utilize the existing "Amber Alert" infrastructure.

Effective date

On the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.