Michigan House Bill HB5391

Michigan 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/10/24
• Refer: 1/10/24

Caption

Law enforcement: reports; notification of the public by text message of a missing senior or vulnerable adult; provide for. Amends title & sec. 5 of 2012 PA 176 (MCL 28.715).

Impact

The bill delineates specific responsibilities for law enforcement agencies after they receive notifications about missing vulnerable individuals. It mandates these agencies to forward the relevant information to other jurisdictional law enforcement entities and broadcasts to local media, which allows a broader community response to locate missing persons. Moreover, it outlines the civil immunity for government officers and entities involved in these outreach efforts, thus protecting them while acting in good faith.

Summary

House Bill 5391 aims to amend the 'Mozelle Senior or Vulnerable Adult Medical Alert Act' by establishing a system for quickly alerting the public regarding missing senior or vulnerable adults. It delineates how law enforcement agencies must respond to reports of missing individuals within these demographics. The focus is on enhancing the efficiency of information dissemination related to such cases, ensuring that relevant law enforcement and media are promptly informed to aid in locating these individuals in a timely manner.

Contention

While the bill is generally presented as a public safety measure, there could be potential concerns regarding privacy and the protocol for disseminating information. Critics might argue that broadcasting details of missing persons could lead to unwanted media attention or distress for the families involved, especially if the individual has not been located. Furthermore, the responsibility placed on law enforcement agencies to activate the medical alert system could prompt discussions about their resource allocation and efficiency in handling such cases.