New PA 'Silver Alert' Would Notify Residents Of Missing Elderly

HARRISBURG, PA — Residents would be notified of missing senior citizens through an alert program similar to the Amber Alerts used for missing children, if a newly proposed bill in the Pennsylvania legislature can pass into law.

Senate Bill 1180 would modify the state's Amber Alert law to create a "Silver Alert System" for certain at-risk seniors that go missing.

"The alert will notify the public that an adult with Alzheimer’s, dementia or other permanent cognitive impairment is missing," State Sen. Patrick M. Browne, who plans to introduce the bill, said in a statement. "Silver Alert specifically applies to cognitively impaired individuals who become lost while driving a car or lost while on foot."

Silver Alert-type programs are popular around the country, and Pennsylvania is one of just 22 states that does not currently have one.

In order for a Silver Alert to be issued, the following critera would need to be met, according to hte new legislation:

• The missing person must be 60 years or older
• The person has a diagnosed impaired mental condition and the disappearance poses a credible threat to their health and safety
• An investigation must confirm that the individual’s disappearance is due to their impaired mental condition and alternative reasons for the disappearance have been ruled out
• The Silver Alert request must be made within 72 hours of the individual’s disappearance
• Ensure that there is enough information available to disseminate to the public that could assist in locating the missing person