HB 1039 - Emergency Alerts Summary

• Creates "Yellow Alert" system for hit-and-run incidents resulting in death or serious bodily injury, activated by law enforcement agencies and disseminated via highway dynamic message signs when specified conditions are met.

• Requires Yellow Alert activation criteria: suspect killed or seriously injured person, suspect fled using state highway system, and investigating agency has vehicle information (complete license plate, partial plate with identifying characteristics, or suspect identity).

• Establishes "Lockdown Alert" system allowing local law enforcement to notify public and private schools and child care facilities of imminent threats via Emergency Alert System when a person suspected of killing, causing serious bodily injury, or assault with deadly weapon has fled the scene.

• Requires local law enforcement agencies to create and maintain lists of schools and child care facilities within their jurisdictions; allows private schools and facilities to request removal from the list.

• Creates "Imminent Threat Alert" issued by Department of Law Enforcement to inform the public of imminent threats; must be disseminated through Emergency Alert System and highway dynamic message signs.

• Effective date: October 1, 2017.