Delaware 2023-2024 Regular Session

Delaware Senate Bill SB108 Latest Draft

Bill / Engrossed Version

                            SPONSOR:      Sen. Poore & Rep. Griffith       Sens. Brown, Buckson, Gay, Hansen, Hocker, Hoffner, Huxtable, Lawson, Lockman, Mantzavinos, S. McBride, Paradee, Pettyjohn, Pinkney, Richardson, Sokola, Sturgeon, Townsend, Walsh, Wilson; Reps. Briggs King, Gray, Heffernan, K. Johnson, Neal           DELAWARE STATE SENATE   152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY       SENATE BILL NO. 108   AS AMENDED BY   SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 1       AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE GOLD ALERT PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN MISSING PERSONS.      

     

     SPONSOR:      Sen. Poore & Rep. Griffith       Sens. Brown, Buckson, Gay, Hansen, Hocker, Hoffner, Huxtable, Lawson, Lockman, Mantzavinos, S. McBride, Paradee, Pettyjohn, Pinkney, Richardson, Sokola, Sturgeon, Townsend, Walsh, Wilson; Reps. Briggs King, Gray, Heffernan, K. Johnson, Neal     

SPONSOR: Sen. Poore & Rep. Griffith
Sens. Brown, Buckson, Gay, Hansen, Hocker, Hoffner, Huxtable, Lawson, Lockman, Mantzavinos, S. McBride, Paradee, Pettyjohn, Pinkney, Richardson, Sokola, Sturgeon, Townsend, Walsh, Wilson; Reps. Briggs King, Gray, Heffernan, K. Johnson, Neal

 SPONSOR:  

 Sen. Poore & Rep. Griffith 

 Sens. Brown, Buckson, Gay, Hansen, Hocker, Hoffner, Huxtable, Lawson, Lockman, Mantzavinos, S. McBride, Paradee, Pettyjohn, Pinkney, Richardson, Sokola, Sturgeon, Townsend, Walsh, Wilson; Reps. Briggs King, Gray, Heffernan, K. Johnson, Neal 

   

 DELAWARE STATE SENATE 

 152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY 

   

 SENATE BILL NO. 108 

 AS AMENDED BY 

 SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 1 

   

 AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE GOLD ALERT PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN MISSING PERSONS. 

   

  BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:    Section 1. Amend 8580, Title 11 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:     8580. Definitions.    (2)  Gold Alert Program or Program means the procedures used to aid in the identification and location of a missing person as defined under paragraphs  (4), (5), and (6)   (4), (5), (6), and (7)  of this section. Gold Alerts may be local, regional, or statewide. The initial decision to issue a local Gold Alert is at the discretion of the investigating law-enforcement agency.    (4) Missing person with a disability means a person  who is all of the following :   a. Whose whereabouts are  unknown;   unknown.   b. Whose  domicile at the time that the person is reported missing is  Delaware;   Delaware.   c. Who  has a  disability; and,   disability.   d. Whose disappearance poses a credible threat to the health or safety of the person, as determined by the investigating law enforcement agency.     (5) Missing senior citizen means a person  who is all of the following :   a.  Whose whereabouts are  unknown;   unknown.   b.  Whose domicile at the time that the person is reported is missing is  Delaware;   Delaware.   c.  Whose age at the time that the person is first reported missing is 60 years of age or  older; and   older.   d. Whose disappearance poses a credible threat to the health or safety of the person, as determined by the investigating law enforcement agency.    (6) Missing suicidal person means a person  who is all of the following :   a.  Whose whereabouts are  unknown;   unknown.   b.  Whose domicile at the time that the person is reported missing is  Delaware;   Delaware.   c.  Whose disappearance is  voluntary; and   voluntary.   d. Whose statement, actions, or conduct indicate that the missing person may voluntarily cause or inflict harm on  himself of herself   themselves , and whose disappearance poses a credible threat to the health or safety of the person, as determined by the investigating law enforcement agency.    (7) Missing child means a person who is all of the following:   a.  Whose whereabouts are unknown.   b.  Whose domicile at the time that the person is reported missing is Delaware.   c.  Who is a minor who has not married, and who resides with a parent or other legal guardian.   d. Whose  disappearance does not meet the criteria for an Amber Alert but does pose a credible threat to the health and safety of the person, as determined by the investigating law-enforcement agency.    Section 2. Amend 8581, Title 11 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:    (a) Each i nvestigating law-enforcement agency shall implement an alert program, consistent with the ACIM Alert Program, for missing senior citizens, missing suicidal  persons, and   persons,  missing persons with disabilities,  and missing children,  and may promulgate necessary rules and regulations for the program. The rules and regulations shall include the following:    (1)  Procedures for the use of the Delaware Information Analysis Center  (DIAC)   (DIAC)  to provide support to the investigating law-enforcement agency as a resource for the receipt, analysis, and dissemination of information regarding the missing person and the missing persons  whereabouts;   whereabouts.   (2)  Procedures for the investigating law-enforcement agency to use to verify whether a senior citizen, a suicidal  person, or   person,  a person with a  disability   disability, or a missing child  is missing and the circumstances under which the agency must enter descriptive information of the missing person into the Delaware Criminal Justice Information System  (DELJIS)   (DELJIS)  and the National Crime Information Center  (NCIC)   (NCIC)  system. The investigating law-enforcement agency shall further notify  the Delaware Information Analysis Center (DIAC),   DIAC,  who shall make all the necessary notifications and assist the investigating law-enforcement  agency; and   agency.   (3)  The process for reporting the information to designated media outlets in Delaware.   (b) The  Delaware State Police shall adopt rules and regulations for the use of  the  DIAC to assist investigating law-enforcement agencies during their investigations as a resource for the receipt, analysis, and dissemination of information to those agencies that have a need and right to know about the missing person.   Section 3.  Amend 8582, Title 11 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:   (a)  When a law-enforcement agency receives notice that a senior citizen, a suicidal  person, or   person,  a person with a  disability   disability, or a missing child  is missing, the agency shall solicit information from the missing persons family or legal guardian to provide information regarding the missing persons physical or mental condition, or both. When the investigating law-enforcement agency verifies that the person is missing, the investigating law-enforcement agency shall enter the descriptive information of the missing person into  the Delaware Criminal Justice Information System (DELJIS)   DELJIS  and the  National Crime Information Center (NCIC)   NCIC  system. The investigating law-enforcement agency shall further notify  the Delaware Information Analysis Center (DIAC)   DIAC , who shall make all the necessary notifications and assist the investigating law-enforcement agency.   (b) When  an investigating law-enforcement agency has verified that a senior citizen, a suicidal  person, or   person,  a person with a  disability   disability, or a missing child  is missing, the investigating law-enforcement agency shall send an alert to designated media outlets in Delaware. The alert must include all appropriate information that may assist in the safe return of the missing senior citizen, suicidal  person, or   person,  person with a  disability   disability, or a missing child  along with a statement instructing anyone with information relating to the missing person to contact the investigating law-enforcement agency or a law-enforcement agency within their jurisdiction. Additionally, when an investigating law-enforcement agency has verified that a senior citizen, a suicidal  person, or   person,  a person with a  disability   disability, or a missing child  is missing, the investigating law-enforcement agency shall contact the Department of Transportation. The Department of Transportation shall adopt rules and regulations for the display on its variable message signs of appropriate information that may assist in the safe return of the missing senior citizen, suicidal  person, or   person,  person with a  disability   disability, or a missing child  consistent with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and federal requirements.     Section 4.  Amend 8583, Title 11 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:   (b) A law-enforcement agency that locates a missing person who is the subject of a Gold Alert shall notify DELJIS, NCIC, and  the DIAC   DIAC  as soon as possible that the missing person has been located.      

 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE: 

  Section 1. Amend 8580, Title 11 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows: 

   8580. Definitions. 

  (2)  Gold Alert Program or Program means the procedures used to aid in the identification and location of a missing person as defined under paragraphs  (4), (5), and (6)   (4), (5), (6), and (7)  of this section. Gold Alerts may be local, regional, or statewide. The initial decision to issue a local Gold Alert is at the discretion of the investigating law-enforcement agency. 

  (4) Missing person with a disability means a person  who is all of the following : 

 a. Whose whereabouts are  unknown;   unknown. 

 b. Whose  domicile at the time that the person is reported missing is  Delaware;   Delaware. 

 c. Who  has a  disability; and,   disability. 

 d. Whose disappearance poses a credible threat to the health or safety of the person, as determined by the investigating law enforcement agency.  

  (5) Missing senior citizen means a person  who is all of the following : 

 a.  Whose whereabouts are  unknown;   unknown. 

 b.  Whose domicile at the time that the person is reported is missing is  Delaware;   Delaware. 

 c.  Whose age at the time that the person is first reported missing is 60 years of age or  older; and   older. 

 d. Whose disappearance poses a credible threat to the health or safety of the person, as determined by the investigating law enforcement agency. 

  (6) Missing suicidal person means a person  who is all of the following : 

 a.  Whose whereabouts are  unknown;   unknown. 

 b.  Whose domicile at the time that the person is reported missing is  Delaware;   Delaware. 

 c.  Whose disappearance is  voluntary; and   voluntary. 

 d. Whose statement, actions, or conduct indicate that the missing person may voluntarily cause or inflict harm on  himself of herself   themselves , and whose disappearance poses a credible threat to the health or safety of the person, as determined by the investigating law enforcement agency. 

  (7) Missing child means a person who is all of the following: 

 a.  Whose whereabouts are unknown. 

 b.  Whose domicile at the time that the person is reported missing is Delaware. 

 c.  Who is a minor who has not married, and who resides with a parent or other legal guardian. 

 d. Whose  disappearance does not meet the criteria for an Amber Alert but does pose a credible threat to the health and safety of the person, as determined by the investigating law-enforcement agency. 

  Section 2. Amend 8581, Title 11 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows: 

  (a) Each i nvestigating law-enforcement agency shall implement an alert program, consistent with the ACIM Alert Program, for missing senior citizens, missing suicidal  persons, and   persons,  missing persons with disabilities,  and missing children,  and may promulgate necessary rules and regulations for the program. The rules and regulations shall include the following: 

  (1)  Procedures for the use of the Delaware Information Analysis Center  (DIAC)   (DIAC)  to provide support to the investigating law-enforcement agency as a resource for the receipt, analysis, and dissemination of information regarding the missing person and the missing persons  whereabouts;   whereabouts. 

 (2)  Procedures for the investigating law-enforcement agency to use to verify whether a senior citizen, a suicidal  person, or   person,  a person with a  disability   disability, or a missing child  is missing and the circumstances under which the agency must enter descriptive information of the missing person into the Delaware Criminal Justice Information System  (DELJIS)   (DELJIS)  and the National Crime Information Center  (NCIC)   (NCIC)  system. The investigating law-enforcement agency shall further notify  the Delaware Information Analysis Center (DIAC),   DIAC,  who shall make all the necessary notifications and assist the investigating law-enforcement  agency; and   agency. 

 (3)  The process for reporting the information to designated media outlets in Delaware. 

 (b) The  Delaware State Police shall adopt rules and regulations for the use of  the  DIAC to assist investigating law-enforcement agencies during their investigations as a resource for the receipt, analysis, and dissemination of information to those agencies that have a need and right to know about the missing person. 

 Section 3.  Amend 8582, Title 11 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows: 

 (a)  When a law-enforcement agency receives notice that a senior citizen, a suicidal  person, or   person,  a person with a  disability   disability, or a missing child  is missing, the agency shall solicit information from the missing persons family or legal guardian to provide information regarding the missing persons physical or mental condition, or both. When the investigating law-enforcement agency verifies that the person is missing, the investigating law-enforcement agency shall enter the descriptive information of the missing person into  the Delaware Criminal Justice Information System (DELJIS)   DELJIS  and the  National Crime Information Center (NCIC)   NCIC  system. The investigating law-enforcement agency shall further notify  the Delaware Information Analysis Center (DIAC)   DIAC , who shall make all the necessary notifications and assist the investigating law-enforcement agency. 

 (b) When  an investigating law-enforcement agency has verified that a senior citizen, a suicidal  person, or   person,  a person with a  disability   disability, or a missing child  is missing, the investigating law-enforcement agency shall send an alert to designated media outlets in Delaware. The alert must include all appropriate information that may assist in the safe return of the missing senior citizen, suicidal  person, or   person,  person with a  disability   disability, or a missing child  along with a statement instructing anyone with information relating to the missing person to contact the investigating law-enforcement agency or a law-enforcement agency within their jurisdiction. Additionally, when an investigating law-enforcement agency has verified that a senior citizen, a suicidal  person, or   person,  a person with a  disability   disability, or a missing child  is missing, the investigating law-enforcement agency shall contact the Department of Transportation. The Department of Transportation shall adopt rules and regulations for the display on its variable message signs of appropriate information that may assist in the safe return of the missing senior citizen, suicidal  person, or   person,  person with a  disability   disability, or a missing child  consistent with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and federal requirements.   

 Section 4.  Amend 8583, Title 11 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows: 

 (b) A law-enforcement agency that locates a missing person who is the subject of a Gold Alert shall notify DELJIS, NCIC, and  the DIAC   DIAC  as soon as possible that the missing person has been located.