What's happening
This bill requires New York to create a voluntary registry form to help law enforcement locate missing individuals with autism, dementia, or similar conditions.
Why it matters
Enhances rapid response. By providing law enforcement with a standardized, voluntary registry containing detailed information (like physical features, medical conditions, and emergency contacts), the bill aims to reduce the time it takes to locate vulnerable missing individuals, potentially saving lives.
Addresses unique vulnerabilities. Many individuals with autism, dementia, or similar conditions may be non-verbal or unable to communicate essential details if found; the registry ensures responders have crucial information to assist and safely reunite them with caregivers.
Empowers families and caregivers. The voluntary nature of the registry gives families and guardians a proactive tool to support the safety of their loved ones, granting peace of mind and a direct channel for providing relevant, up-to-date information to authorities.
Promotes inter-agency coordination. By requiring collaboration between the Division of Criminal Justice Services and the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, the bill ensures that the form considers both law enforcement needs and the specific considerations of the populations it is designed to protect.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Create Missing Persons Registry
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to finance
- Referred to finance
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Registry for Missing Vulnerable People
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Robert J. Rodriguez
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3626
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 25, 2017
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to assisting state and local law enforcement agencies in establishing a registry to locate certain missing individuals
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 837 of the executive law is amended by adding a new subdivision 21 to read as follows:
21. Promulgate, in consultation with the commissioner of the office for people with developmental disabilities, a standardized form that may be used by state and local law enforcement agencies as a voluntary registry to help locate persons diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, Alzheimer's disease or other dementia, or who are otherwise unable to communicate and who lose the ability to recognize familiar places or faces. Such form may include identifying information on the missing registrant such as physical features, medical conditions, whether the person is non-verbal, and names of family or friends to contact if the person is located. Such form may also provide for a photograph of the registrant to be submitted with the form.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately the division of criminal justice services is authorized to take any and all actions necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04009-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to assisting state and local law enforcement agencies in establishing a registry to locate certain missing individuals
Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to establish a voluntary registry of individuals with Autism, Alzheimer's or Dementia who may be at risk of wandering away from home. This legislation would make a standardized form available that may be submitted to local law enforcement agencies by family members and caregivers of such individuals. This form would include identifying information and may include a photograph of the registrant.
Summary of provisions
Adds a new subdivision (21) to Section 837 of the Executive Law to direct the Division of Criminal Justice Services to promulgate, in consultation with the Commissioner of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, a voluntary registry that may be established and used by state and local law enforcement agencies.
Justification
A voluntary registry would enable caretakers and loved ones to register individuals with Autism, Alzheimer's or Dementia with state or local law enforcement agencies. By filing in such a form, law enforcement personnel may be more equipped with vital information, including a photograph of the individual, to help locate or identify the person if they are wandering or lost.
Many localities across the country have implemented similar measures protect our most vulnerable citizens. Such measure would benefit the affected individual, family and law enforcement personnel by enabling them to refer to a standardized form to help locate the missing individual at a point when time is most critical.
Legislative history
2015-16: S.551A - Amend and Recommit to Finance 2013-14: S.4557/A.3545 - Referred to Finance 2011-12: S.4643/A.4434 - Committed to Rules/Governmental Operations 2009-10: S.4384/A.6662 - Referred to Finance/Governmental Operations 2008: S.7868/A.11551 - Passed Senate/Referred to Governmental Ops
Fiscal implications
Minimal.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.