§ 15-3E-3 — Establishment of Green Alert Plan

(a) The Superintendent of the West Virginia State Police shall establish the Green Alert Plan authorizing the broadcast media, upon notice from the West Virginia State Police, to broadcast an alert to inform the public of a missing at-risk veteran, subject to the criteria established in §15-3E-4 of this code. The program shall be a voluntary, cooperative effort between state law enforcement and the broadcast media.

(b) As used in this article, “at-risk veteran” means a person who is currently serving in the armed forces on active duty, reserve status, or in the National Guard, or a person who served in the active military, or who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable who is known, based on the information provided by the person making the report, to have a physical or mental health condition that is related to his or her service.

(c) The superintendent shall notify the broadcast media serving the State of West Virginia of the establishment the Green Alert Plan and invite their voluntary participation.

(d) The superintendent shall submit a plan to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance no later than December 1, 2020. The plan shall include Green Alert activation protocols, evaluation of first responder training requirements and needs as related to at-risk veterans, coordination and use of established programs, and analysis of any costs. The superintendent shall also make recommendations for any additional legislation or actions necessary to further facilitate the implementation of the Green Alert Plan.

Legislative History

2020 Reg. Sess., SB289