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Bill

H 2657

An Act establishing a Purple Alert system in the commonwealth

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jack Lewis and 2 co-sponsors

Establishes Purple Alert to locate missing persons with disabilities, led by EOPSS; enables public alerts with photos while protecting privacy and narrowing alerts to likely areas.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 2657

Summary: H.2657 — An Act Establishing a Purple Alert System in the Commonwealth

Overview

H.2657 seeks to create a statewide Purple Alert program to help identify and locate missing persons with disabilities. The bill would add a new Chapter 22F to the General Laws and designate the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) as the lead agency to establish, operate, and monitor the program. Activation can be pursued by local police or sheriffs when a qualifying missing person with a disability is believed to be in immediate danger or at risk of serious harm and can be located with public-information dissemination.

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Filed: January 16, 2025 (House Docket No. 2309)
  • Primary sponsor: Rep. Jack Patrick Lewis (Framingham)
  • Status: Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means (as of November 26, 2025)
  • Related action: Senate concurrence noted; HD 2309 replaces the prior form

What the bill would establish

  • Creation of Chapter 22F (Purple Alert Program) to assist in identifying and locating missing persons with disabilities.
  • The program is administered by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.
  • It would establish a system for rapid public dissemination of information about a missing person with a disability, including descriptions, photographs, and information about the person’s disability and vulnerability to wandering.

Definitions (key terms)

  • “Missing person with a disability” includes individuals with:

    • mental or cognitive disabilities (excluding Alzheimer’s/dementia),
    • intellectual or developmental disabilities (including Down syndrome),
    • brain injury,
    • other physical, mental, or emotional disabilities not related to substance abuse,
    • or a combination of these.

  • “Executive Office” means the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.

  • “Local law enforcement agency” means the local police or sheriff’s office with jurisdiction over where the person went missing.

Activation and operation (how it would work)

  • Local law enforcement may activate a Purple Alert after determining:
    • the person meets the disability criteria,
    • there is credible imminent danger or risk of serious harm,
    • the missing person likely cannot be returned to safety without law enforcement intervention,
    • there is sufficient information to disseminate to the public.
  • A Purple Alert may be activated even if a Silver Alert or Amber Alert is active if it could improve the chances of locating the person.
  • Initiation steps (Section 4):
    • A missing person report is filed by a family, caregiver, or custodian.
    • LE determines if the case qualifies, notifies the EOPSS, and electronically transmits Purple Alert materials and photos.
    • Information is entered into NCIC.
    • Immediate-area searches are coordinated with LE, E911, and first responders.
    • Secondary alerts are sent to residents, businesses, and broadcast media in the area.
    • A 24-hour contact number is provided for inquiries.
    • The family is updated as new information becomes available.

Privacy, safeguards, and scope

  • The program must protect privacy, dignity, and independence by avoiding unnecessary disclosure of sensitive health information.
  • Alerts should be broadcast/disseminated only within geographic areas where the missing person could reasonably be located, considering the person’s condition, transportation options, and known circumstances.

Termination and duration

  • A Purple Alert ends when the missing person is located or conditions no longer warrant continued activation.
  • The LE agency that requested activation must notify the EOPSS immediately upon location or termination.

Implementation timeline

  • Effective date: 90 days after enactment.

Who would be affected

  • Missing persons with disabilities and their families/caregivers.
  • Local law enforcement, E911, first responders, the media, and the public, who would participate in alert dissemination and response.
  • The program would influence interagency coordination for missing-person investigations involving individuals with disabilities.

Legislative context

  • The bill has undergone committee consideration and is on track to be reviewed by the House Ways and Means Committee.
  • It is related to prior and current Massachusetts public-safety legislation and complements existing alert systems (Silver/Amber) when beneficial.

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

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