SENATE FILE 265

BY  DANIELSON

A BILL FOR

An Act creating a blue alert program within the department of public safety for the apprehension of a person suspected of killing or seriously injuring a peace officer in the line of duty.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

   Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  80G.1  Blue alert program —— creation.
   A blue alert program is created as a cooperative effort between the department of public safety and local law enforcement agencies to aid in the apprehension of a person suspected of killing or seriously injuring a peace officer in the line of duty.
   Sec. 2.  NEW SECTION.  80G.2  Definition.
   As used in this chapter, “peace officer” means the same as defined in section 801.4.
   Sec. 3.  NEW SECTION.  80G.3  Criteria.
   A blue alert shall be issued by Iowa state patrol communications upon receipt of a request from a law enforcement agency if the following criteria apply:
   1.  The law enforcement agency has confirmed that a peace officer has been killed or seriously injured in the line of duty and an entry has been made into the Iowa online articles and warrants system providing that a peace officer has been killed or seriously injured. The law enforcement agency shall submit to the department of public safety sufficient information to confirm the death or serious injury of the officer on a form prescribed by the department of public safety prior to a blue alert being transmitted.
   2.  The law enforcement agency has entered descriptive information relating to the suspect.
   3.  There is enough descriptive information about the suspect to ensure that an immediate broadcast of the information will aid in the discovery of the suspect.
   Sec. 4.  NEW SECTION.  80G.4  Activation and termination.
   1.  Upon establishment of the blue alert criteria in section 80G.3, the department of public safety shall transmit a blue alert through the emergency alert system to Iowa broadcasters.
   2.  Upon the transmission of a blue alert the department of public safety shall post the alert on an internet website accessible by the public.
   3.  After an initial blue alert transmission, additional information may be submitted by the participating law enforcement agency by facsimile transmission, electronic mail, or telephonic means.
   4.  The communications officer of the state patrol may direct the transmission of an Iowa blue alert upon request from another state, provided that there is evidence the suspect may be present in Iowa.
   5.  A blue alert shall terminate if the suspect is located or five hours have elapsed since the transmission of the alert.
   6.  A blue alert may be renewed.
   Sec. 5.  NEW SECTION.  80G.5  Rules.
   The department of public safety shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to implement this chapter.
EXPLANATION
   This bill creates a blue alert program within the department of public safety.
   The bill provides that the purpose of the program is to aid in the apprehension of a person suspected of killing or seriously injuring a peace officer.
   The bill defines “peace officer” to mean the same as defined in Code section 801.4.
   Under the bill, a blue alert shall be issued by the department of public safety if the following apply: a law enforcement agency has confirmed that a peace officer has been killed or seriously injured in the line of duty, and an entry has been made into the Iowa online articles and warrants system; the law enforcement agency has entered descriptive information relating to the suspect; and there is enough descriptive information about the suspect to ensure an immediate broadcast of the information will aid in the discovery of the suspect.
   If the criteria for issuing a blue alert have been established, the department of public safety shall transmit a blue alert through the emergency alert system to Iowa broadcasters. Upon the transmission of the blue alert the department shall also post the alert on an internet website.
   The bill provides that a blue alert shall be terminated when the suspect is located or five hours after transmission of the alert.
   A blue alert may be renewed.