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Bill

S 997

Allows law enforcement officers to receive one-time emergency alerts on personal wireless communication devices.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Jon Bramnick

S 997 authorizes law enforcement officers to receive emergency alerts on personal wireless devices during critical incidents for faster emergency response coordination.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee
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Bill Summary · S 997

Legislative bill overview

S 997 permits law enforcement officers to receive emergency alerts on their personal cell phones and wireless devices during critical situations. The bill appears designed to ensure officers can receive urgent notifications without relying solely on department-issued equipment, potentially improving emergency response coordination.

Why is this important

During active emergencies, communication delays can have serious consequences for public safety. This bill could enable faster dissemination of critical information (active threats, officer safety alerts, evacuation orders) by supplementing official channels. However, it raises questions about when personal devices override privacy expectations and who controls alert distribution.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy and personal device boundaries: Whether government can send alerts to officers' personal phones and what oversight exists prevents misuse or non-emergency messages
  • "One-time" limitation scope: Unclear whether this restricts alerts to single incidents or genuinely limits frequency; definitions matter for implementation
  • Equity and access: Whether officers without personal wireless devices or with limited service would be disadvantaged; potential disparities in receiving critical safety information

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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