Sen. Kissel Joins Gov. Rell For Silver Alert Bill Signing
July 7, 2009Bill establishes a “Silver Alert System” to recover missing senior citizens
Sen. John A. Kissel (R-Enfield) last week joined Governor M. Jodi Rell in her Capitol Office as she signed into law a bill that will establish a silver alert system in cooperation with the Department of Public Safety’s missing children alert system to recover missing senior citizens.
“There have been a number of instances of missing senior citizens just this year,” said Senator Kissel. “I am very hopeful that the establishment of this silver alert system will lead to the recovery of a greater number of our older adults who have gone missing. I feel very strongly about this effort that brought so many people together in a bi-partisan effort. The Department of Public Safety has also expressed their willingness to comply with this legislation and I am confident that the excellent effort they put forth in locating missing children will be seen in this new endeavor as well.
Public Act 09-109 requires the Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Missing Child Information Clearinghouse to collect, process, maintain, and disseminate information to assist in locating missing senior citizens and adults with mental disabilities. The missing person’s relative, legal or healthcare representative, or nursing home administrator must file a DPS missing person report and notify the clearinghouse or law enforcement agency if the missing person is found. It also requires local police departments that receive a report of a missing senior or mentally impaired adult to immediately accept the report and notify all on-duty police officers and other appropriate law enforcement agencies.
“Elderly individuals who are often undergoing serious treatment for health or other issues are particularly vulnerable” said Senator Kissel. “It is so important that we do all that we can to locate any of these individuals who may have gone missing and I was happy to co-sponsor this legislation and be in attendance as Governor Rell signed it into law.”
