State Rep. Gina Johnsen on Tuesday testified before the House Families and Veterans Committee in support of her plan to create a medical alert system for missing seniors and vulnerable adults.

“My plan is a straightforward and important update to state law that would help ensure that the Michigan State Police establish and maintain a system that uses modern wireless technology to issue alerts when a senior or vulnerable adult is reported missing,” said Johnsen, R-Portland. “Under current law, police agencies must prepare a detailed report when a senior or vulnerable adult goes missing. The report must be shared with local law enforcement, broadcasters, and, when appropriate, newspapers. However, current law does not include provisions for using modern mobile phone alerts, which can reach thousands of people instantly. With nearly everyone carrying a cell phone today, this is a missed opportunity to get the word out quickly when every second counts.”

Johnsen’s legislation, House Bill 4362, would direct the Michigan State Police to establish and maintain a formal Medical Alert System Plan for missing seniors and vulnerable adults. A Silver Alert would be capable of issuing rapid alerts to the public through the federal Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system. Once a report is filed, local law enforcement must notify the State Police and request activation of the alert.

“This system is already used for urgent alerts like severe weather and AMBER Alerts and is designed to be reliable, quick, and effective,” Johnsen said. “Importantly, my plan does not change who qualifies as a missing senior or vulnerable adult. It simply ensures that this critical population—those who are most at risk and who need help the fastest—can benefit from the same modern alert technology that is already used to find missing children or warn the public of imminent dangers. This legislation can make a real difference for some of our most vulnerable neighbors and their families.”

Johnsen was joined by Kristyn Merkle of the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan and Denneen Smith, Executive Director of the Friendship Centers of Emmet County, in testifying in support of the Silver Alert plan.

The legislation remains in committee awaiting a potential vote.

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