Governor Hassan Signs Bill Strengthening Protections for Missing Vulnerable Citizens

Statement

Continuing her efforts to support New Hampshire's most vulnerable citizens, Governor Maggie Hassan today signed Senate Bill 487, bipartisan legislation that eases the process of filing a missing person report when an individual who experiences Alzheimer's or dementia wanders and goes missing.

"Alzheimer's and dementia affect countless families and communities across the state, and we must do everything that we can to support those affected by these devastating diseases," Governor Hassan said. "It is estimated that six out of ten individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's will wander, which means we must have a strong process in place for caregivers to file a missing persons report when someone they love goes missing. By allowing an alert to be made at the request of an individual's caregiver, shortening the requirement to update the federal database and changing an individual's location to their last known whereabouts to account for travel, Senate Bill 487 eases the process to locate missing, vulnerable Granite Staters."

"Senate Bill 487 will help us protect some of our state's most vulnerable citizens, and I am glad to sign this bipartisan bill into law to support those who experience Alzheimer's and dementia and their loved ones," Governor Hassan said.

Governor Hassan joined representatives from the Alzheimer's Association, advocates and legislators from both parties to sign Senate Bill 487, which builds on the bipartisan bill that the Governor signed in 2014 to establish a permanent subcommittee of Health and Human Services Oversight Committee for Alzheimer's and other related dementia, to develop an education program around Alzheimer's and to provide additional training for the law enforcement community on the disease.

Source