An Act To Create a Blue Alert Program in Maine
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 0375
Committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Sponsors: CYRWAY, LUCHINI, BURNS, COLLINS, DAVIS, ROSEN, GOLDEN, HANINGTON, HILLIARD

Legislative Document 
No. 375 
S.P. 143 
In Senate, February 12, 2015 
An Act To Create a Blue Alert Program in Maine 
Reference to the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety suggested and ordered 
printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator CYRWAY of Kennebec. 
Cosponsored by Representative LUCHINI of Ellsworth and 
Senators: BURNS of Washington, COLLINS of York, DAVIS of Piscataquis, McCORMICK 
of Kennebec, ROSEN of Hancock, Representatives: GOLDEN of Lewiston, HANINGTON of 
Lincoln, HILLIARD of Belgrade. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  25 MRSA c. 260 is enacted to read: 
CHAPTER 260 
BLUE ALERT PROGRAM 
§2221.  Definitions 
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms 
have the following meanings. 
1.  Blue Alert.  "Blue Alert" means a notice provided under this chapter to the public 
through certain state agencies and the media. 
2.  Blue Alert Program.  "Blue Alert Program" means the statewide alert program 
regarding killed, injured or missing law enforcement officers developed and implemented 
under this chapter. 
3.  Department.  "Department" means the Department of Public Safety. 
4.  Law enforcement officer.  "Law enforcement officer" has the same meaning as in 
section 3701, subsection 3. 
5.  Media.  "Media" means print, radio, Internet-based communication systems or 
other methods of communicating information to the public. 
§2222.  Blue Alert Program 
1.  Blue 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 
Blue Alert Program as provided in subsection 2. 
2.  Program elements.   The Blue Alert Program must be developed and 
implemented using existing resources and activated when, in the line of duty, a law 
enforcement officer has been killed or injured or is missing, there is sufficient 
information available regarding the law enforcement officer's last known location or 
physical description of an offender or vehicle involved and the department determines 
that a public notification may aid in: 
A.  Apprehending a suspected offender who poses an imminent threat to the public or 
to law enforcement personnel; or 
B.  Locating a missing law enforcement officer. 
3.  Standards of procedure.  The Blue Alert Program must include standards of 
procedure for local law enforcement agencies to determine that a condition under 
subsection 2 exists to notify the department to activate a Blue Alert, 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. 
4.  Rules.  The department may adopt routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, 
chapter 375, subchapter 2-A to carry out the purposes of this chapter. 
SUMMARY 
This bill creates the Blue Alert Program to notify the public through various state 
agencies and media outlets when a law enforcement officer has been killed or injured or 
is missing and the Department of Public Safety determines that public notification would 
be useful in apprehending a suspected offender or finding a missing officer.