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Senate passes bill expanding Silver Alert criteria to include signs of cognitive decline
Summary
House Bill 197 passed the Senate on final passage. The bill expands eligibility for a Silver Alert so that authorities may issue an alert when a missing person shows signs of cognitive decline or impairment even if a formal medical diagnosis (such as Alzheimer's) is not yet established.
The Senate approved House Bill 197, which expands the state’s Silver Alert program to allow issuance when a missing person shows signs of cognitive decline or impairment even if the person does not have a formal diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another listed condition.
Sponsor Senator Gallegos and Representative Elaine Sena Cortez (house sponsor) explained the change on the floor as a practical step to help return missing elders and other cognitively impaired adults to their families. The sponsor said the change would allow law enforcement and the public to act sooner in cases where caregivers report disorientation or other cognitive symptoms but a formal diagnosis is not yet documented.
On final passage the presiding officer announced the vote was unanimous at 37‑0 in the affirmative. The bill passed without recorded opposition on the Senate floor.
Ending — The bill will move forward for further processing; legislative sponsors said the change is intended to improve public safety and reuniting missing, vulnerable adults with caregivers.
