Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the summary and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 1. 25 MRSA c. 259 is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 259
SILVER ALERT PROGRAM
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
In accordance with this chapter and with the cooperation of the Department of Transportation, the Maine Turnpike Authority, a statewide organization representing broadcast groups in the State, the Office of the Governor and appropriate law enforcement agencies, the department shall develop and implement the Silver Alert Program to be activated on behalf of missing senior citizens. The program must include standards of procedure for local law enforcement agencies to determine that a missing person is a missing senior citizen and appropriately activate a Silver Alert to local or statewide law enforcement agencies and to the media, a plan for providing relevant information to the public through an existing system of dynamic message signs located across the State when necessary and training for all law enforcement officers. The Silver Alert Program must be developed and implemented using existing resources.’
summary
This amendment, which is the majority report, replaces the bill. It requires the Department of Public Safety to develop a Silver Alert Program for missing senior citizens in cooperation with the Department of Transportation, the Maine Turnpike Authority, the Office of the Governor, a statewide organization representing broadcast groups in the State and appropriate law enforcement agencies. The Silver Alert Program must include standards of procedure for receiving reports of a missing person with an irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties such as dementia and activating a Silver Alert at the appropriate local or statewide level and a plan for alerting the public through the media and highway message signs. The Silver Alert Program must also include appropriate training for all law enforcement officers. The program and training must be developed and implemented within existing resources. The amendment removes the requirement for Board of Trustees of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy to establish mandatory minimum standards by January 1, 2011 and for law enforcement agencies to certify that their policies are consistent with those standards.