Bill to establish Purple Alert for missing with cognitive disabilities passes

A bill that will establish a Purple Alert for missing people with cognitive disabilities has passed the Legislature.

House Bill 873 passed the House 121-0 with one person absent and passed the Senate 50-2 with two absent on Monday.

Once signed by Gov. Tate Reeves, it will take effect on July 1.

The bill will allow for a Purple Alert to be issued when someone with cognitive disabilities that are not dementia related goes missing. Similar to the Amber Alert and the Silver Alert, it will be broadcast to local media and subscribers to help locate that individual.