Sec. 5. Minimum standards for issuance and dissemination of alerts through Silver Alert communications network
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/bill/113/hr/5361/ih/section-5A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Subject to subsection
(b), the Coordinator shall establish minimum standards for— the issuance of alerts through the Silver Alert communications network; and the extent of the dissemination of alerts issued through the Silver Alert network. The minimum standards established under subsection
(a)of this section, and any other guidelines and programs established under section 4, shall be adoptable on a voluntary basis only. The minimum standards shall, to the maximum extent practicable (as determined by the Coordinator in consultation with State and local law enforcement agencies), provide that appropriate information relating to the special needs of a missing senior (including health care needs) is disseminated to the appropriate law enforcement, public health, and other public officials. The minimum standards shall, to the maximum extent practicable (as determined by the Coordinator in consultation with State and local law enforcement agencies), provide that the dissemination of an alert through the Silver Alert communications network be limited to the geographic areas which the missing senior could reasonably reach, considering the circumstances and physical and mental condition of the missing senior, the modes of transportation available to the missing senior, and the circumstances of the disappearance. The minimum standards shall not include any specific age requirement for an individual to be classified as a missing senior for purposes of the Silver Alert communication network. Age requirements for determinations of whether an individual is a missing senior shall be determined by each State, and may vary from State to State. The minimum standards shall— ensure that alerts issued through the Silver Alert communications network comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local privacy laws and regulations; and include standards that specifically provide for the protection of the civil liberties and sensitive medical information of missing seniors. In carrying out the activities under subsection
(a), the Coordinator may not interfere with the current system of voluntary coordination between local broadcasters and State and local law enforcement agencies for purposes of the Silver Alert communications network.