52:17B-194.9 "MVP Emergency Alert System."

1. a. The Attorney General shall establish an "MVP Emergency Alert System" which shall provide practices and protocols for a Statewide system for the rapid dissemination of information regarding a missing person who is believed to be a vulnerable person as defined in subsection f. of this section. The program shall be a voluntary, cooperative effort between State and local law enforcement agencies and the media, including but not limited to print, radio, and television media outlets.

b. The Attorney General shall notify the media serving the State of New Jersey of the establishment of the MVP Emergency Alert System, and invite their voluntary participation.

c. The Missing Persons Investigative Best Practices Protocol Unidentified Deceased Persons Investigative Guidelines, promulgated by the Missing Persons and Child Exploitation Unit in the Division of State Police, shall be revised to incorporate procedures for issuing an alert regarding a missing vulnerable person, as defined in subsection f. of this section. The guidelines and procedures shall ensure that specific health information about the missing vulnerable person is not made public through the alert or otherwise. In situations in which a missing vulnerable person is 17 years of age or younger and meets the criteria set forth in subsection c. of section 3 of P.L.2002, c.129 (C.52:17B-194.3), the provisions of P.L.2002, c.129 (C.52:17B-194.1 et seq.) and the guidelines and applicable procedures for Amber Alerts shall be followed. In situations that meet the criteria for activation of a Silver Alert pursuant to P.L.2009, c.167 (C.52:17B-194.4) and also meet the criteria for activation of an MVP Emergency Alert pursuant to P.L.2015, c.184 (C.52:17B-194.9 et seq.), the lead law enforcement agency, in consultation with the Missing Persons and Child Exploitation Unit in the Division of State Police, shall determine, based on the totality of the circumstances, which system would more effectively assist in locating the missing vulnerable person, and the guidelines and applicable procedures for that system shall be followed.

d. The Attorney General, with the assistance of the participating media, shall develop and undertake a public education campaign to inform the public about the MVP Emergency Alert System.

e. The Attorney General may adopt guidelines to effectuate the purposes of this act.

f. For purposes of P.L.2015, c.184 (C.52:17B-194.9 et seq.), a "Missing Vulnerable Person" or "MVP" means a person who is believed to have a mental, intellectual, or developmental disability or defect who goes missing under circumstances that indicate that the person may be in danger of death or serious bodily injury.

L.2015, c.184, s.1.