Senate · Introduced · 2025-2026 Regular Session

SB 211: "Autism Missing Person Alert System Act"; enact

Last action February 20, 2025 · Senate Read and Referred

Senate Bill 211 would create a statewide alert system, run by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, to help find missing individuals with autism spectrum disorder, similar to existing alerts for missing disabled adults.

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In plain language

Georgia already has a state-wide alert system for missing disabled adults under Title 35 of state law. This bill adds a new part to that law creating a separate 'Autism Missing Person Alert System,' to be developed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation with cooperation from the Governor's office, the Georgia Lottery Corporation, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, and local police. The bill sets out when local law enforcement can request activation (the person is missing, believed in danger, an investigation has ruled out other explanations, and enough information exists to help the public), lets the alert cover less than the whole state if appropriate, and requires alerts to prioritize searching waterways like lakes and rivers alongside roadways. It also directs the Lottery Corporation to notify its retail vendors of alerts, shields participants from civil liability for spreading alert information, and makes conforming word changes elsewhere in the existing law replacing 'article' with 'part.'

What the bill does

Creates a new Autism Missing Person Alert System within existing state law on missing-person alerts, run by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Requires local law enforcement to verify specific criteria, including danger and a completed investigation, before requesting activation of the alert.
Directs that any activated alert instruct searchers to prioritize waterways such as lakes, rivers, pools, and ditches, in addition to roadways.
Directs the Georgia Lottery Corporation to notify its retail vendors within an alert area so they can pass information to customers.
Shields individuals and entities participating in the alert system from civil liability for spreading alert information.
Renames existing Code Sections 35-3-170 through 35-3-180 as 'Part 1' and updates internal references from 'article' to 'part' for consistency.

Who it affects

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Governor's office, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, the Georgia Lottery Corporation and its retail vendors, and local law enforcement agencies statewide.

Why it matters

Families of missing individuals with autism spectrum disorder would gain a dedicated, statewide alert system modeled on existing missing-persons alerts, with a specific focus on searching waterways, a known risk for people with autism who may wander toward water.

Key provisions

Section 2 designates the existing missing disabled adults alert law as 'Part 1' to make room for the new autism alert part.
Section 3 adds new Code Sections 35-3-181 through 35-3-189 defining terms, establishing the alert system, and setting activation criteria.
New Code Section 35-3-185 requires local police to verify four specific conditions, including danger and a completed investigation, before requesting an alert.
New Code Section 35-3-186 requires activated alerts to prioritize waterway searches and describe the missing person's location and behaviors.
New Code Section 35-3-187 requires participating state agencies to use rapid response phone alerts and directs the Georgia Lottery Corporation to notify vendors.
New Code Section 35-3-189 protects participants from civil liability for disseminating alert information.
Section 4 makes conforming edits, replacing 'article' with 'part' in four existing Code sections.

From the bill

“Issue guidance to local law enforcement agencies engaged in a search for the missing individual to prioritize waterways, including lakes, rivers, pools, ditches, and other potential water sources”
Requires searches under the new alert system to focus on waterways where missing individuals with autism may be at risk.

“Any entity or individual participating in the Autism Missing Person Alert System pursuant to this part shall not be liable for any civil damages arising from the dissemination of any alert generated pursuant to the Autism Missing Person Alert System.”
Protects people and organizations who share alert information from being sued over it.

Status timeline

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

Topics

autism spectrum disorder
missing persons alerts
public safety
law enforcement
disability policy

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Machine-readable https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb211.md · https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md · MCP https://mcp.georgiacommons.org/mcp