Manchin, Rockefeller Introduce National Silver Alert Act

Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller want to take West Virginia's Silver Alert program nationwide.

Manchin and Rockefeller, along with four other senators introduced the National Silver Alert Act on Tuesday.

It would create a federal program to help local and state law enforcement agencies find missing adults and senior citizens.

“We know that a strong communications network is critical to first responders when they’re dealing with an emergency situation, such as when an elderly person goes missing,” said Senator Rockefeller. “The Silver Alert, which is modeled after a successful West Virginia program, has the potential to greatly improve the way we locate missing adults and seniors by allowing for coordination and support across jurisdictions.”

The Silver Alert Program has been in place in West Virginia since 2009.

“The Silver Alert was put in place in West Virginia when I was Governor and has proven to be a positive and effective program since it started in 2009,” Senator Manchin said. “In West Virginia, we’ve been fortunate enough to need the system activated only a handful of times, and we have been very successful in returning those missing individuals home safely."

According to a news release, this legislation is supported by the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, Elder Justice Coalition, National Association of Police Organizations and the National Sheriffs’ Association.