SE Arizona News

The Arizona House of Representatives has approved HB2894, a bill introduced by Representative Khyl Powell. The legislation aims to enhance the state's Silver Alert system, focusing on protecting vulnerable individuals such as children and adults with cognitive impairments.

Representative Powell emphasized the importance of the bill, stating, "HB2894 is about protecting the most vulnerable among us—children and adults with cognitive impairments who may wander or find themselves in danger, unable to seek help." He further explained that the legislation is designed to ensure immediate action by law enforcement without bureaucratic delays.

The bill mandates that Silver Alerts be issued immediately for qualifying missing persons. It also requires comprehensive training for law enforcement agencies to improve response times and effectiveness. Powell noted, "When a child with autism or an elderly person with dementia goes missing, every second counts."

HB2894 builds on existing systems by eliminating administrative delays and requiring annual training for those involved in missing persons cases. This aligns with the House Republican Majority's focus on public safety and emergency response efforts.

The bill will now proceed to the Senate for further consideration. Representative Khyl Powell serves Legislative District 14 in Gilbert and holds the position of Vice Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

Information from this article can be found here.