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Bill Summary · HB 857

Summary — HB 857: Create Alert / Missing Person with Disability (North Carolina)

Status: Introduced (Filed 11/12/2024); referred to committees. Effective: when the act becomes law.

Purpose

Establishes a statewide “Missing with Disability Alert System” to enable rapid, statewide dissemination of information about a missing person or child who is believed to be a person with a disability and, because of their missing status, needs protection from potential abuse, physical harm, neglect, or exploitation.

Where the law would sit

Adds a new section, G.S. 143B‑1022A, to Subpart B of Part 5 of Article 13, Chapter 143B — placing the system within the North Carolina Center for Missing Persons.

Key provisions

  • Creation of the North Carolina Missing with Disability Alert System housed in the Center for Missing Persons.
  • Triggering condition: the Center or a law‑enforcement agency receives a request involving a missing person/child who (1) is believed to be a person with a disability (as defined in G.S. 168A‑3(7a)) and (2) requires protection because of the missing status.
  • Mandatory issuance: the Center or law enforcement “shall issue an alert” for rapid statewide dissemination when criteria are met. Agencies must make every effort to disseminate information as quickly as possible after a missing report is received.
  • Policy, procedures, and training: the Center and all law‑enforcement agencies must adopt guidelines and procedures for issuing alerts and provide education/training to encourage radio and television broadcasters to participate.
  • Privacy protection: guidelines must ensure that specific health information about the missing person/child is not made public through the alert or otherwise.
  • Use of roadway message signs: the Center and law enforcement must consult with the Department of Transportation to develop procedures for using overhead permanent changeable message signs (PCMS) to convey alert information (when appropriate), and develop guidelines for content, length, and frequency of such messages.

Who is affected

  • Missing persons with disabilities and their families (potentially improved recovery prospects).
  • Law‑enforcement agencies and the North Carolina Center for Missing Persons (responsible for issuing alerts and adopting procedures).
  • Broadcasters and other media (encouraged to participate in dissemination).
  • North Carolina Department of Transportation (coordination and use of PCMS).
  • Motorists and the public as potential aid in locating missing individuals.

Implementation and considerations

  • The bill directs agencies to adopt operational guidelines but does not specify technical or funding provisions; implementing rules, interagency coordination, and resource needs would be addressed during implementation.
  • The statute emphasizes rapid dissemination while protecting sensitive health information.
  • Effective immediately upon enactment (the bill states it is effective when it becomes law).

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

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