Pennsylvania
Bill would create alert when children with autism go missing in Pennsylvania
(WHTM) — Legislation is in the works for a statewide warning system to locate missing children with autism.
State Rep. Robert Leadbeter (R-Columbia County) announced the formal introduction of a bill to create a “Purple Alert” system. It would quickly notify police and community members when a child with autism, or other cognitive issues, is missing.
His bill is called “Aiden’s Law,” named for a young boy in Columbia County, who disappeared earlier this year and drowned in the Susquehanna River. Leadbeter said a “Purple Alert” system would fill a gap in Pennsylvania.
“So, individuals with cognitive disabilities are able to then, if they go missing, have an alert go out to law enforcement organizations that work directly with them and that’ll save time expand resources, and ideally result in a safe return home for the missing individual,” Leadbeter said.
In this bill, the system would mirror others like Amber Alerts for missing children in danger and Silver Alerts for missing seniors.