SENIOR MEDICAL ALERT ACT H.B. 4819 (H-2):
FLOOR SUMMARY
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House Bill 4819 (Substitute H-2 as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Representative Mark Meadows
House Committee: Senior Health, Security, and Retirement
Senate Committee: Senior Citizens and Veterans Affairs
CONTENT
The bill would create the "Mozelle Senior Medical Alert Act" to do all of the following:
-- Require a law enforcement agency to prepare a report when it received notice of a "missing senior" from a "person familiar with the missing senior".
-- Specify information that would have to be included in a report.
-- Require a law enforcement agency to forward information regarding a missing senior to certain other law enforcement agencies and to one or more area broadcasters.
-- Allow a law enforcement agency, upon completing a report, to forward a copy of its contents to one or more area newspapers.
-- Require a law enforcement agency to request that broadcasters and newspapers notify the public of a senior medical alert.
-- Require a law enforcement agency to begin an investigation as soon as possible after being notified of a missing senior.
-- Provide immunity from civil liability to a broadcaster or newspaper that notified the public of a senior medical alert for an act or omission related to the broadcast or publication, except in the case of gross negligence or willful, wanton, or intentional misconduct.
"Missing senior" would mean a Michigan resident at least 60 years old who is reported missing by a person familiar with the missing senior, and who is believed to be incapable of returning to his or her residence without assistance.
"Person familiar with the missing senior" would mean a missing senior's guardian, custodian, or guardian ad litem or an individual who provides the missing senior with home health aid services, possesses a health care power of attorney for the missing senior, has proof that the missing senior has a medical condition, or otherwise has information regarding the missing senior.
Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have an indeterminate, but minimal, fiscal impact on State and local government. Law enforcement agencies could experience additional administrative and investigative duties under the provisions of the bill, but only to the extent senior citizens were to become missing within their jurisdiction.
Date Completed: 12-10-08 Fiscal Analyst: Bruce Baker
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. hb4819/0708