Instructs that all functions, powers, duties, and obligations vested in the North Carolina Center for Missing Persons (Center) in the Department of Public Safety (DPS) are transferred to, vested in, and consolidated within the State Highway Patrol (SHP) by a Type I transfer, as defined in GS 143A-6. Adds Part 4 to Article 17 of GS Chapter 143B (“Part 4”), concerning the Center. Recodifies the fourteen listed citations as Part 4, as specified. Makes conforming changes to GS 143B-1760 (establishing the Center), GS 143B-1762 (control of the Center), GS 143B-1763 (authorizing the commander of the SHP to adopt rules), GS 143B-1765 (dissemination of missing persons data by law enforcement), GS 143B-1766 (responsibilities of Center), GS 143B-1768 (release of information by the Center), GS 143B-1769 (provision of toll-free service), GS 143B-1770 (improper release of information), and GS 143B-1771 (NC AMBER Alert system).
Changes the name of the NC Missing Endangered System to the Silver Alert System in GS 143B-1772. Narrows its scope to cover only missing persons aged 65 or older believed to be suffering from a cognitive impairment that causes an irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties that makes them unable to meet their own needs or to seek help without assistance. Requires the Center to now include procedures for use of the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) to disseminate the information as quickly as possible when a person has been reported missing to a law enforcement agency. Limits the duration of the alert to 90 days. Requires the NC Blue Alert System to include procedures for use of the WEA in GS 143B-1773.
Enacts GS 143B-1774, establishing the NC Missing Endangered Alert (MEA) to provide a statewide system for the rapid dissemination of information regarding a missing person, aged 64 or younger, or missing child who is believed to be suffering from dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or a cognitive impairment that causes an irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties that makes them unable to meet their own needs or to seek help without assistance and that is not a risk to the general public. Requires the Center to issue rapid alerts, as described, when it receives a request that involves a missing person or child who has been missing for not more than 72 hours since the request was received. Requires the Center to develop guidelines and procedures for issuing a 90-day alerts for missing persons. Requires the Center to consult with the Department of Transportation (DOT) to develop a procedure the use of overhead permanent changeable message signs to provide information on the missing person or missing child meeting the criteria of this section when information is available that would enable motorists to assist in the recovery of the missing person or missing child.
Establishes the NC Ashanti Alert to provide a statewide system for the rapid dissemination of information regarding a missing person over 18 years of age that is suspected to have been abducted and there is both abductor and vehicle information available in GS 143B-1775. Requires the Center to issue rapid alerts, as described, when it receives a request that involves a missing person who has been missing for not more than 72 hours since the request was received. Requires the Center to develop guidelines and procedures for issuing 24-hour alerts for missing persons. Requires the Center to consult with DOT to develop a procedure the use of overhead permanent changeable message signs to provide information on the missing person or missing child meeting the criteria of this section when information is available that would enable motorists to assist in the recovery of the missing person or missing child.
Establishes the Center’s Missing – Weather Alert to provide a statewide system for the rapid dissemination of information regarding a missing person or child that is missing during times of extreme heat or cold and is not in a vehicle or immediately following a significant weather event. Requires the Center to issue rapid alerts, as described, when it receives a request that involves a missing person who has been missing for not more than 72 hours since the request was received. Requires the Center to develop guidelines and procedures for issuing 30-day alerts for missing persons.
Requires the SHP to adopt rules, or amendment to rules consistent with the act’s provisions. Authorizes the SHP to use the procedure set forth in GS 150B-21.1 (temporary rules procedures under the APA) to adopt or amend any rules.