(a) A missing senior citizen alert shall be activated by the department when a citizen is reported missing and an investigation reveals the following:

(1) The citizen is at risk of bodily harm or death, or suffers from Alzheimer's disease or dementia. An alert may be issued for a person suffering from Alzheimer's disease or dementia regardless of age.

(2) There is enough descriptive information about the senior or person suffering from Alzheimer's disease or dementia to believe an immediate media alert would help investigators locate the person. For persons suffering from Alzheimer's disease or dementia, a statement from a caregiver that the missing person suffers from either disease shall be considered sufficient proof of the disease.

(b) A report of a missing senior citizen or missing person suffering from Alzheimer's disease or dementia may be made to the department as soon as a concerned party or caregiver believes the person to be missing. Upon the submission of the report, a search in the missing person's local area may begin immediately, and the department may expand the search to include areas outside of the missing person's local area if needed.

(c) The department and local law enforcement agencies shall require law enforcement officers and other emergency personnel to complete first responder training for missing persons with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia, if such training is available through the department, the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission, or the free training and certification program offered by the Alzheimer's Association. If a missing person report is made for a person suffering from Alzheimer's disease or dementia, the department and local law enforcement agencies shall utilize available personnel who have participated in this training to assist in conducting the search.