9-1-1 Registry Program - Autism and Other Special Needs - Established
The 9-1-1 Registry Program will require public safety answering points to develop registration procedures and to inform first responders about registered individuals before arrival at an incident scene. Additionally, it mandates that these emergency structures ensure the program's details are made publicly available and that registrants are contacted annually to maintain accurate records. This bill, effective October 1, 2022, aims to integrate these procedures into existing public safety operations, potentially enhancing response effectiveness in critical situations involving persons with special needs.
House Bill 177 establishes a 9-1-1 Registry Program designed to assist first responders in recognizing and responding appropriately to individuals with autism or other special needs. This registry would alert emergency services about certain behaviors that individuals may exhibit during interactions, such as being nonverbal, oversensitive to sirens, unaware of danger, or prone to eloping. The intention behind this bill is to enhance the safety and understanding of first responders when responding to situations involving these individuals.
There may be contention surrounding the implementation of the 9-1-1 Registry Program, particularly regarding privacy concerns associated with registering individuals and how their data will be managed and used by first responders. The balance between providing necessary information for safety and ensuring individual rights and privacy is likely to be a subject of debate among legislators and advocacy groups. Some may argue that the program is essential for the safety of vulnerable populations, while others may express concerns about the potential misuse of registry information and the stigmatization of individuals with autism or special needs.