SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 1725
As of February 4, 2022
Title: An act relating to the creation of an endangered missing person advisory designation for missing indigenous persons.
Brief Description: Concerning the creation of an endangered missing person advisory designation for missing indigenous persons.
Sponsors: House Committee on Public Safety (originally sponsored by Representatives Lekanoff, Goodman, Berry, Taylor, Valdez, Bateman, Macri, Peterson, Ramel, Simmons, Orwall, Chopp, Stonier, Harris-Talley and Frame; by request of Attorney General).
Brief History: Passed House: 1/28/22, 95-0.
Committee Activity: Law & Justice: 2/08/22.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires the Washington State Patrol to establish a missing indigenous person alert designation as part of its endangered missing person advisory plan.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE
Staff: Ryan Giannini (786-7285)
Background:

The America's Missing Broadcast Emergency Response (AMBER) alert system is a system in which broadcasters, cable systems, and law enforcement agencies voluntarily cooperate to assist in finding abducted children.  When a law enforcement agency determines that an incident may qualify for activation of an AMBER alert, the agency notifies the Washington State Patrol (WSP) amber alert coordinator for collaboration.  If the WSP AMBER alert coordinator cannot be reached, then approval for an AMBER alert rests with the primary law enforcement agency.
 
When a missing person does not qualify for an alert under the AMBER alert system, an endangered missing person advisory (EMPA) alert may be activated.  Washington's EMPA plan includes a silver alert designation to assist in the recovery of missing endangered persons aged 60 or older.
 
The WSP is responsible for operating a missing children and endangered person clearinghouse.  The clearinghouse distributes information to local law enforcement agencies; school districts; the Department of Children, Youth, and Families; and the general public regarding missing children and endangered persons.  The WSP is also responsible for developing and implementing AMBER alert plans and EMPA plans for voluntary cooperation between local, state, tribal, and other law enforcement agencies; state government agencies; radio and television stations; cable and satellite systems; and social media pages and sites to enhance the public's ability to assist in recovering abducted children and missing endangered missing persons.
Summary of Bill:

The WSP must develop and implement an endangered missing person advisory (EMPA) plan which includes both silver alert and missing indigenous person alert designations, for voluntary cooperation between local, state, tribal, and other law enforcement agencies; state government agencies; radio and television stations; cable and satellite systems; and social media pages and sites to enhance the public's ability to assist in recovery efforts.
 
"Missing indigenous person alert" means a missing endangered person advisory that will be used on a variable message sign and text of the highway advisory radio message when used as part of an activated advisory to assist in the recovery of a missing indigenous person.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.