SB211: SB211 "Autism Missing Person Alert System Act"; enact

Georgia already has a statewide alert system for missing disabled adults under Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. This bill adds a new, separate part to that law creating the 'Autism Missing Person Alert System Act,' a dedicated alert system for missing individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The bill directs the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, working with the Governor's office, the Georgia Lottery Corporation, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, and local police, to build and run the alert system. It sets conditions for when local law enforcement can request activation, requires searches to prioritize waterways because of drowning risk, requires alerts to include descriptions and last known location, and shields participants such as media outlets and the Lottery Corporation from civil liability for sharing alert information. It also renames the existing missing-disabled-adults law's 'article' references to 'part' to fit the new structure.

• Creates a new statewide alert system specifically for missing individuals with autism spectrum disorder, separate from the existing missing disabled adults alert.
• Requires the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to develop the system with the Governor's office, the Georgia Lottery Corporation, and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.
• Sets specific criteria local law enforcement must verify, including immediate danger and a completed investigation, before requesting alert activation.
• Requires any activated alert to instruct searchers to prioritize waterways like lakes, rivers, and pools due to drowning risk for missing individuals with autism.
• Grants civil liability protection to any entity or individual, including media and retail vendors, that disseminates information as part of the alert.
• Directs the Georgia Lottery Corporation to notify its retail vendors within an alert area so they can pass information to customers.

The bill affects the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Governor's office, the Georgia Lottery Corporation and its retail vendors, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, local law enforcement agencies, media outlets that broadcast alerts, and families of individuals with autism spectrum disorder who go missing.

Families of people with autism spectrum disorder who wander or go missing would benefit from a search process tailored to their needs, including a required focus on nearby water sources where drowning risk is elevated. Media and businesses that share alert information would be protected from lawsuits.

• Section 1 names the law the 'Autism Missing Person Alert System Act.'
• Section 2 reorganizes existing Code Sections 35-3-170 through 35-3-180 into 'Part 1' of the article to make room for the new system.
• Section 3 adds 'Part 2' (new Code Sections 35-3-181 through 35-3-189), defining terms, assigning the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's director as statewide coordinator, and setting activation criteria requiring danger, a verified investigation, and enough information to help the public.
• Code Section 35-3-186 requires activated alerts to prioritize waterway searches, advise checking roadways, and include the individual's description, last known location, and relevant behavioral information.
• Code Section 35-3-187 requires participating state agencies to use a rapid response telephone system and directs the Georgia Lottery Corporation to notify retail vendors within alert areas.
• Code Section 35-3-189 protects participants from civil liability for damages arising from disseminating alert information.
• Section 4 replaces the word 'article' with 'part' in four existing Code sections to match the new two-part structure.
• Section 5 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2025-02-20Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2025-02-19Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Donzella James (D, SD-028)Primary sponsor
• Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)
• Sheikh Rahman (D, SD-005)
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
• Emanuel Jones (D, SD-010)
• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
• Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
• Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)

• autism spectrum disorder
• missing persons alerts
• public safety
• law enforcement
• disability services