STATEHOUSE – House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1151, co-authored by State Representative Ron Bacon (R-Chandler), was signed into law by Gov. Mike Pence this week.
HEA 1151 creates the Blue Alert program, which will notify the public when a law enforcement officer is killed, seriously injured, missing in the line of duty, or if the criminal who caused harm has not been apprehended and may be a danger to others. The program will be operated by the Indiana State Police Department.
“The Blue Alert program will help address issues of public safety in our communities,†said Rep. Bacon. “Hoosier law enforcement officers are always putting their lives on the line to protect us as they selflessly serve to keep our communities safe. The Blue Alert program is a tool to help inform and keep the public out of harm’s way.â€
The Blue Alert program will operate similar to the already existing Amber Alerts and Silver Alerts for missing children and missing or endangered adults. This will provide an extra layer of protection for law enforcement officers and the general public.
“The program will notify the public if the criminal has not been apprehended. It will ensure that law enforcement officers and Hoosiers remain safe and informed when there is a tragedy that occurs around them,†said Rep. Bacon
HEA 1151 will go into effect on July 1, 2013.
