Pennsylvania HB 552: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for the Pennsylvania Amber Alert System, the Missing Endangered Person Advisory System and the Green Alert System and for duties of the Pennsylvania State Police; assessing costs; providing for immunity and penalties; and making a repeal.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 553
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 552
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY MARKOSEK, HILL-EVANS, GIRAL, PIELLI, RABB,
M. MACKENZIE, FREEMAN, NEILSON, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, SANCHEZ,
KHAN, DALEY, HADDOCK, DONAHUE, HOHENSTEIN AND DEASY,
FEBRUARY 11, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, FEBRUARY 11, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, providing for the Pennsylvania Amber
Alert System, the Missing Endangered Person Advisory System
and the Green Alert System and for duties of the Pennsylvania
State Police; assessing costs; providing for immunity and
penalties; and making a repeal.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 35 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a chapter to read:
CHAPTER 61
RECOVERY ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS
FOR ABDUCTED AND MISSING PERSONS
Sec.
6101 . Definitions.
6102 . Pennsylvania Amber Alert System.
6103. Missing Endangered Person Advisory System.
6104. Green Alert System.
6105. Duties of Pennsylvania State Police.
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6106. Prohibited use of alert systems .
6107 . Use of Missing Endangered Person Advisory System and
Green Alert System.
6108. Coordination with other jurisdictions.
6109. Assessment of cost.
6110. Immunity.
§ 6101 . Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"System." The Pennsylvania Amber Alert System, the Missing
Endangered Person Advisory System and the Green Alert System.
"Veteran-at-risk." A veteran, as defined in 51 Pa.C.S. §
7202 (relating to definitions), who is known to have a physical
or mental health condition that is related to the veteran's
service and is at special risk of harm or injury.
§ 6102 . 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.
§ 6103 . Missing Endangered Person Advisory System.
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.
§ 6104 . Green Alert System.
The Pennsylvania State Police shall establish and maintain
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the Green Alert System to assist in the recovery of missing
veterans-at-risk through prompt notification to the general
public, appropriate law enforcement authorities and other
agencies.
§ 6105 . Duties of Pennsylvania State Police.
The Pennsylvania State Police shall establish such protocols
and procedures as are necessary for the effective operation of
each system and shall educate and inform local law enforcement
agencies and the public with regard to the availability of each
system .
§ 6106 . Prohibited use of alert systems .
The transmission, broadcast or other communication of a
public alert, other than through the Pennsylvania Amber Alert
System, the Missing Endangered Person Advisory System or the
Green Alert System , intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or
negligently purporting to be made by, with or through the
authority of the Pennsylvania Amber Alert System, the Missing
Endangered Person Advisory System or the Green Alert System, is
prohibited and shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more
than $5,000.
§ 6107 . Use of Missing Endangered Person Advisory System and
Green Alert System.
The Pennsylvania Missing Endangered Person Advisory System
and the Green Alert System shall be operated by the Pennsylvania
State Police. Activation may be requested by law enforcement
agencies when public assistance is considered expedient to the
recovery of a missing individual believed to be at special risk
of harm or injury. The ability of law enforcement agencies to
independently notify or request assistance from the public shall
not be impaired nor restricted in any way.
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§ 6108 . Coordination with other jurisdictions.
(a) Pennsylvania Amber Alert System.-- The Pennsylvania State
Police shall coordinate with the authorities of the various
states and the Federal Government that are responsible within
their respective jurisdictions for the recovery of abducted
children to establish and execute the procedures appropriate to
the effective fulfillment of its responsibilities relating to
the Pennsylvania Amber Alert System .
(b) Pennsylvania Missing Endangered Person Advisory System
and Green Alert System.--The P