HB221 Summary

• Establishes a statewide Blue Alert system administered by the Director of the Department of Public Safety to notify the public when a suspect in a crime involving death or serious injury of a peace officer remains at large and poses a serious threat, or when a peace officer is missing in the line of duty.

• Authorizes the Director to adopt rules for activating and deactivating the alert system and prescribe forms for local law enforcement agencies to request activation.

• Requires participating law enforcement agencies to cooperate with the Department, establish plans for informing officers of alerts, and utilize rapid response telephone systems to alert residents in targeted areas.

• Allows the Department to recruit media, commercial entities, and governmental agencies to assist in developing and implementing the system, and to enter agreements with participants for support.

• Limits civil liability for any entity or individual involved in disseminating alerts generated through the system; effective the first day of the third month following passage and approval.