Nys Senate Passes Special Missing Person Registry Legislation

The New York State Senate today passed legislation, sponsored by Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C - Schenectady), that would create a specialized missing persons registry to help law enforcement locate individuals with autism, Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia in the event they go missing.

Similar to the Operation Safe Child program, this registry would have participants and/or their families fill out a simple registration form that asks for identifying markings and a photo.

"As with other cases of missing persons," Senator Farley said, "time is of extreme importance. Many of these individuals are non-verbal and are unable to communicate to others that they are missing, they need help, or possibly tell them where they live and where they need to go. By having their important information on file with the local law enforcement agencies, the profiles give officers an additional tool to locate and return the loved one home."

This free and voluntary registry will be administered by the State Division of Criminal Justice Services and is similar to programs established by municipalities in other states.

The legislation has been given to the Assembly to consider.