BILL NUMBER: S143
SPONSOR: PALUMBO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to enacting "Gabby's law"
establishing a coordinated law enforcement adult rescue "teal alert" for
missing adults
 
PURPOSE:
This bill would opt New York into the nationwide alert system for miss-
ing adults between the ages of 18 and 64. Currently, no alert system
exists in New York for most individuals in this age group.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Designates this act as "Gabby's Law", establishing a "Teal
Alert" for missing adults between the ages of 18 and 64 in New York and
opting into the national alert system known as the "Ashanti Alert Act".
Section 2. Adds a new section 837-f-3 to the executive law, which
creates a coordinated law enforcement adult rescue public notification
for missing adults, where the disappearance was not voluntary, and the
missing adult is in imminent danger of bodily injury or death. This
section would require the Division of Criminal Justice Services to adopt
rules and issue directives for the implementation of the alert system
and recruit the assistance of appropriate persons and entities, includ-
ing media private and commercial and state and local government entities
in developing and implementing the system.
Section 3. Establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Gabby Petito was a 22-year-old woman from Long Island who went missing
while traveling across the United States with her boyfriend. Even though
her family did not hear from Gabby or see any social media posts from
her for days, Gabby was not reported missing until 11 days after her
last communication with her parents. The story became an international
news story, and vigils were held around the globe day and night praying
for her safe return. Tragically, Gabby's remains were ultimately found
in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming eight days after she was
reported missing and a total of 19 days since her parents last had
contact with her. Gabby's death was ruled a homicide and although such
an alert system may not have saved her, the investigation revealed that
she had contact with several individuals during the final days of her
life and had they known she was possibly in danger the result may have
been different.
The Ashanti's Alert Act is a national alert system that provides a
voluntary nationwide alert/public notification system (like an AMBER
alert for minors or a Silver Alert for seniors) when a missing adult
between the ages of 18 and 64 goes missing. At present, only a few
states currently participate in this network. This legislation would opt
New York into the Ashanti's Alert Act allowing New York to join the
network and to help save the lives of individuals between ages 18 and 64
who are missing, abducted or in danger.
New York has established coordinated law enforcement alert systems for
missing children and missing vulnerable adults with mental health issues
but there is currently no similar system for adults who are not consid-
ered "vulnerable". This bill would create an Amber Alert type system
that would allow for early reports of missing adults, including victims
of domestic violence who are believed to be in danger and would ensure
that information related to their disappearance is quickly disseminated
to the public to help, allowing for a greater likelihood that the miss-
ing adult is found safe and unharmed.
The Gabby Petito case evoked tremendous sympathy and awareness regarding
this issue. Friends, families and advocates wore teal-colored ribbons on
her behalf representing her green/blue eye color. In line with the AMBER
and Silver Alerts, this public notice would be designated a "Teal"
Alert.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024 S.2274; 2022 5.7584.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Costs to the State should be minimal as the alert system infrastructure
already exists
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.