SB 267 — AN ACT relating to the Kentucky Ashanti Alert System.

Summary

Amend KRS 16.010 to define " missing adult"; create a new section of KRS Chapter 16 to require the Department of Kentucky State Police to create and operate the Kentucky Ashanti Alert System to provide public notification through the use of media providers and highway signs when an adult is missing and may have been abducted or kidnapped or may be in physical danger.

Bill Text

• Introduced View text Current pdf

Compared against the Kentucky Revised Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes the Kentucky Ashanti Alert System to aid in the public notification of missing adults.

• KRS 16.010

  12) "Missing adult" means an individual who is: (a) At or above the age of majority pursuant to KRS 2.015; and (b) Identified by law enforcement as a missing person who may be in immediate danger due to circumstances which indicate an abduction or kidnapping.

  This adds a definition for 'Missing adult' to provide context for the alert system.

• A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 16 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS: (1) The Department of Kentucky State Police, in cooperation with the Transportation Cabinet, the Division of Emergency Management, and the media providers shall create and operate a system to notify the public when any individual is determined to be a missing adult, and the department determines that public notification might aid in the recovery of the individual. The system shall be known as the Kentucky Ashanti Alert System.

  This establishes the Kentucky Ashanti Alert System for notifying the public about missing adults.

• (2) The system shall utilize existing resources, including but not limited to electronic highway signs, the Amber Alert System, the emergency broadcast system, law enforcement communications systems, and local, regional, and statewide media providers, as authorized and under conditions permitted by the federal government.

  This specifies that the alert system will utilize various existing communication resources.

• (3) No public alert using the system shall be issued unless the department, in consultation with the law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction where the missing adult was reported, has determined: (a) That the disappearance of the missing adult may not have been voluntary, including an abduction or kidnapping, or that the physical safety of the missing adult may be endangered; (b) That public notification is the most appropriate method of recovering the missing adult in a safe and efficient manner; and (c) The geographic area in which the notification shall be made.

  This outlines the conditions under which a public alert can be issued.

• (4) If it is determined by the department that public notification shall be initiated, the department shall notify the public and private agencies and organizations that will provide the notification and shall provide those organizations and agencies with the information that the department deems necessary.

  This details the process for initiating public notifications.

• (5) All law enforcement agencies in the Commonwealth shall cooperate with the department in the provision and dissemination of information regarding any missing adult.

  This mandates cooperation from all law enforcement agencies for the alert system.

• (6) No law enforcement agency, other than the department, shall activate the notification system specified in this section without the authority of the department.

  This restricts activation of the alert system to the Department of Kentucky State Police.

• (7) The system shall be operated by all agencies of the Commonwealth within existing budgetary appropriations.

  This clarifies that the operation of the alert system must conform to existing budget constraints.

Action History

1. February 23, 2023

   to Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (S)

2. February 21, 2023

   to Committee on Committees (S)

3. February 21, 2023

   introduced in Senate

Subjects