An Act To Establish the Silver Alert Program
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 1610
Committee Amendment CA_A_H709 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "H" to H.P. 1138,L.D. 1610, Bill, "An Act To 
Establish the Silver Alert Program" 
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 
§2201. Definitions 
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms 
have the following meanings. 
1. Department. "Department" means the Department of Public Safety. 
2. Missing senior citizen. "Missing senior citizen" means a person: 
A. Who at the time the person is first rep0l1ed missing is 60 years of age or older or, 
under extraordinary circumstances, a person 18 to 59 years of age who also meets the 
criteria in paragraphs Band C; 
B. With respect to whom there is a clear indication that the person has an irreversible 
deterioration of intellectual faculties such as dementia, as determined by a local law 
enforcement agency; and 
C. Whose disappearance poses a credible threat to the safety and health of the person 
as determined by a local law enforcement agency. 
3. Media. "Media" means print, radio, Internet-based communication systems or 
other methods of communicating information to the public. 
4. Silver Alert. "Silver Alert" means a notice provided under this chapter to the 
public through law enforcement agencies and the media. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMllTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 1138, L.D. 1610 
5. Silver Alert Program. "Silver Alert Program" means the statewide alert program 
for missing senior citizens developed and implemented under this chapter. 
. 
§2202. Silver Alert Program 
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 
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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 facuIties 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. 
FISCAL ~OTE REQLlRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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Approved: 02/12/10 Mac. 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
LD 1610 
LR 2059(02) 
An Act To Establish the Silver Alert Program 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "~,, 
Committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Additional costs to the Department of Public Safety associated with developing and implementing the Silver Alert 
Program can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LR2059(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of I