SENATE BILL NO. 179 "An Act relating to missing vulnerable adult prompt response and notification plans." SENATOR BETTY DAVIS, introduced herself. 10:10:23 AM CELESTE HODGE, STAFF, SENATOR BETTY DAVIS, introduced SB 179. She explained the SB 179 created a new statewide alert system to help find vulnerable, missing adults. The system, which was similar to the nationwide Amber Alert program, would help local law enforcement notify the public when a mentally or physically impaired Alaskan goes missing. Alaska had the fastest growing senior population in the nation, and could not afford to ignore the problem. According to the Alaska Commission on Aging, there were approximately 7,785 Alaskans suffering from Alzheimer's disease and related dementia in 2010. That number was expected to grow to more than 17,000 by 2030. In Fairbanks, a 63-year-old woman who was suffering from Alzheimer's disease froze to death after she became disoriented while driving. She ran out of gas, and tried walking several miles to seek help. This incident, and several others like it, demonstrated the need for an alert system to assist in the search for missing vulnerable adults. When a vulnerable adult goes missing, his or her best chance of survival is if someone finds them within 24 to 48 hours. The bill called for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to coordinate with the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to create, and implement a prompt response and notification plan that would use a voluntary network of statewide and local news organizations to rapidly alert the public that a vulnerable adult was missing. The bill also called for both departments to establish standards on what triggered an alert, and when a vulnerable adult was officially considered missing. This legislation would ensure the search for Alaska's most vulnerable citizens happen promptly. Currently, there were 28 states that have implemented or will implement a "silver alert" program, which was an increase of 10 states since the last report. Co-Chair Stedman noted the two zero fiscal notes from DPS and DMVA. DENISE DONIELLO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA COMMISSION ON AGING, JUNEAU, testified in support of SB 179. She focused her statement on the benefits of older Alaskans, particularly those with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. Wandering was a significant personal and safety problem for older Alaskans with dementia. According to the Alzheimer's Association, approximately 60 percent of people with dementia may wander at some point during the course of their disease. Nearly one-half of those who wander, if they are not found within 24 hours, can suffer great personal injury. For an older person, who lives in an urbanized area, with heavy motorized traffic conditions, getting lost can have significant life and death consequences. 10:15:19 AM MARIE DARLIN, AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED PERSONS, JUNEAU, spoke in support of SB 179. She agreed with previous testimony. With more people living longer, the proposed alert system would prove helpful in many ways. She felt it was reasonable public policy. PATRICK CUNNINGHAM, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, SOCIAL WORK, UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in support of SB 179. He felt that the proposed system would add to the growing list of services for vulnerable adults and their families. HEIDI WILLIAMSON, ASSOCIATE STATE AFFAIRS DIRECTOR, ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION, WASHINGTON, D.C. (via teleconference), testified in support of SB 179. MIKE O'HARE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, FORT RICHARDSON (via teleconference), testified in support of SB 179. She stressed that the first 24 hours that a vulnerable adult goes missing was highly critical. She stressed that it was not the disease that threatened the individuals in the first 24 hours, but the environmental factors and dangers within the community. Most people who wander were found within a 1.5 miles of their home, so she recognized the need for a comprehensive support system. SB 179 was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further consideration.