A bill that would create an alert system to notify the public about missing persons who have autism is one step closer to becoming law in the Peach State.
The Georgia House of Representatives approved House Bill 465, the Autism Missing Person Alert System Act, sponsored by State Representative Carl Gilliard in a recent vote. The bill now heads to the Senate.
HB 465 would add autism spectrum disorder to the list of eligible conditions to activate the Mattie’s Call state-wide alert system for missing disabled adults. Activation of the alert system for those with autism spectrum disorder would include guidance to local law enforcement to prioritize waterways and public roadways in their search and to disclose distinctive autism-related behaviors that can identify the missing person.
Specifically, the bill:
- Creates the Autism Missing Person Alert System Act by amending OCGA 35-3-170, which is Georgia’s Mattie’s Call Act
- Adds Autism Spectrum Disorder (difficulties with social interaction, communication challenges, and restricted/repetitive patterns of behavior) to the people who can have alerts about them under the alert system
- Requires that alerts for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, disabled adults, and medically endangered person include:
- Description with last known location and any details about distinctive behaviors that may assist with identification
- Encouragement for the public to check roadways for signs of the missing person
- Guidance to local law enforcement agencies engaged in a search with alert for lakes, rivers, pools, ditches, and other potential water sources
The bill also amends OCGA 35-3-174 which requires staff of personal care homes and assisted living communities to call local police within 30 mins of receiving knowledge that a person is missing
Gilliard said of the bill: “This is a vital step forward in ensuring that individuals with autism spectrum disorder, who may be at increased risk of going missing, are given the attention and resources they deserve. I applaud the committee for their dedication to advancing this important legislation, and I look forward to seeing it continue its journey through the legislative process to better protect our most vulnerable citizens. I would also like to extend my thanks to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for their hard work and collaboration in helping to shape this legislation.”
HB 465 now awaits consideration by the Senate where the measure will need to clear the committee process, pass out of Rules, and be approved by the full Senate.
The full text of HB 465 may be found here.
