§ 3-604
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/md/public-safety/3-604A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
§3–604.
(1)In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2)“Caregiver” means a parent, spouse, guardian, legal custodian, or person responsible for the supervision of another adult.
(3)“Law enforcement agency” means a State, county, or municipal police department or agency, or a sheriff’s department.
(4)“Missing person” means an individual:
(i)whose whereabouts are unknown;
(ii)who suffers a cognitive impairment including a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia to the extent that the individual requires assistance from a caregiver; and
(iii)whose disappearance poses a credible threat to the health and safety of the individual due to age, health, mental or physical disability, environment, or weather conditions, as determined by a law enforcement agency.
(1)The Department of State Police shall establish a Silver Alert Program to provide a system for rapid dissemination of information to assist in locating a missing person.
(2)The Department of State Police shall:
(i)adopt guidelines and develop procedures for issuing a Silver Alert for a missing person;
(ii)provide training to local law enforcement agencies on the guidelines and procedures to be used to handle a report of a missing person;
(iii)provide assistance to a local law enforcement agency, as necessary, to assist in the safe recovery of a missing person;
(iv)recruit public and commercial television and radio broadcasters, local volunteer groups, and other members of the public to assist in developing and implementing a Silver Alert;
(v)consult with the State Highway Administration to establish a plan for providing information relevant to a Silver Alert to the public through the dynamic message sign system located across the State; and
(vi)consult with the State Department of Education to develop a program that:
1. allows high school students to assist in the search for a missing person under this section;
2. complies with COMAR 13A.03.02.06; and
3. is consistent with the student service–learning guidelines developed by the State Department of Education.
(c)A caregiver or person filing a report regarding a missing person immediately shall notify the local law enforcement agency with which the report was filed and the Department of State Police if:
(1)the missing person who was the subject of the report is located; and
(2)it is unlikely that the local law enforcement agency or the Department of State Police has knowledge that the missing person has been located.