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PRINTER'S NO. 608
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
544
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY BROWNE, SCARNATI, LANGERHOLC, PHILLIPS-HILL,
BREWSTER, BARTOLOTTA, MARTIN, FONTANA, SANTARSIERO, J. WARD,
GORDNER, DINNIMAN, COSTA, YAW, K. WARD, VOGEL, REGAN, AUMENT,
YUDICHAK AND TARTAGLIONE, APRIL 10, 2019
REFERRED TO LAW AND JUSTICE, APRIL 10, 2019
AN ACT
Amending the act of November 24, 2004 (P.L.1270, No.153),
entitled "An act providing for the Pennsylvania Amber Alert
System; authorizing and directing the Pennsylvania State
Police to establish and maintain the Pennsylvania Amber Alert
System; assessing costs; and providing for immunity and
penalties," establishing the Pennsylvania Blue Alert System
for the protection of the public and the apprehension of a
person of immediate threat.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The title and section 1 of the act of November
24, 2004 (P.L.1270, No.153), referred to as the Pennsylvania
Amber Alert System Law, are amended to read:
AN ACT
Providing for the Pennsylvania Amber Alert System, the Missing
Endangered Person Advisory System and the Pennsylvania Blue
Alert System; authorizing and directing the Pennsylvania
State Police to establish and maintain the [Pennsylvania
Amber Alert System] alert systems; assessing costs; and
providing for immunity and penalties.
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Section 1. Pennsylvania Amber Alert System [and], Missing
Endangered Person Advisory System (MEPAS) and
Pennsylvania Blue Alert System established.
(a) Pennsylvania Amber Alert System.--The Pennsylvania State
Police shall establish and maintain the Pennsylvania Amber Alert
System to assist in the recovery of abducted children through
prompt notification to the general public, appropriate law
enforcement authorities and other public agencies.
(b) Missing Endangered Person Advisory System (MEPAS).--The
Pennsylvania State Police shall establish and maintain the
Missing Endangered Person Advisory System to assist in the
recovery of missing persons who are at special risk of harm or
injury, through prompt notification to the general public,
appropriate law enforcement authorities and other agencies.
(c) Pennsylvania Blue Alert System.--The Pennsylvania State
Police shall establish and maintain the Pennsylvania Blue Alert
System to assist in the protection of the public and the
apprehension of a person of immediate threat, as identified by
the Pennsylvania State Police, who may have been involved in the
injury or death of a law enforcement officer, through prompt
notification to the general public, appropriate law enforcement
authorities and other public agencies.
Section 2. The act is amended by adding a section to read:
Section 2.2. Use of Pennsylvania Blue Alert System.
The Pennsylvania Blue Alert System shall be operated by the
Pennsylvania State Police. Activation may be requested by a law
enforcement agency if notification of the public is considered
prudent for the protection of the public and the immediate need
for apprehension of a person identified by the Pennsylvania
State Police as posing an immediate threat to the public.
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Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
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