HB 74

HLS 26RS-324  ENGROSSED
 2026 Regular Session
 HOUSE BILL NO. 74
 BY REPRESENTATIVES ECHOLS, ADAMS, BOUDREAUX, BOYER, COX,
  FONTENOT, HORTON, KNOX, LAFLEUR, MOORE, VILLIO, AND WILEY
 LAW ENFORCEMENT: Creates a "Spectrum Alert" system to assist in locating missing
  persons with autism spectrum disorder
1AN ACT
2 To enact Chapter 24-D of Title 40 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, to be
3comprised of R.S. 40:2529.1 through 2529.4, relative to missing children with autism
4spectrum disorder; to create a Spectrum Alert program; to develop autism response
5training for law enforcement officers; to provide for administration of the Spectrum
6Alert program; to provide for immunity; and to provide for related matters.
7 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8Section 1. Chapter 24-D of Title 40 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950,
9 comprised of R.S. 40:2529.1 through 2529.4, is hereby enacted to read as follows:
10CHAPTER 24-D. SPECTRUM ALERT ACT
11§2529.1. Short title
12This Chapter shall be known or may be cited as the "Spectrum Alert Act".
13§2529.2. Administration; notification system
14A. The secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections shall
15develop and implement a system to notify citizens when a child with Autism
16Spectrum Disorder, hereinafter referred to in this Chapter as "ASD", is determined
17to be missing and that an alert is to be issued to the community to assist law
18enforcement officials in locating the missing child with ASD.
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 HLS 26RS-324  ENGROSSED
  HB NO. 74
1B. A notification system developed pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter
2shall include, but not be limited to, the following items:
3(1) Procedures to determine that the child with ASD is truly missing.
4(2) Procedures for notifying the general public of the fact that a child with
5ASD is missing.
6(3) Whether the circumstances of the child deemed missing are aggravated
7due to the age of the child or a life-threatening medical condition or situation which
8requires the child to take life-sustaining medication.
9(4) Coordinate with and encourage the private sector to participate in
10secondary distribution, including the creation and distribution of flyers, electronic
11mail, and text messaging of the missing child with ASD.
12C. The alert shall be cancelled upon notification that the missing child has
13been found or at the end of the notification period, whichever comes first. A local
14law enforcement agency that locates a missing child who is the subject of an alert
15shall notify the Department of Public Safety and Corrections or its designee, as soon
16as possible that the missing child has been located.
17D. The secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections shall
18promulgate rules and regulations, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure
19Act, to implement the provisions of this Chapter.
20§2529.3. Training program
21In addition to, and in cooperation with, the notification system established by
22R.S. 40:2529.2, the secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections
23shall develop a training program to equip law enforcement officers with the skills to
24understand ASD and other mental illnesses, de-escalate interactions with children in
25crisis, and respond effectively to a reported missing child with ASD.
26§2529.4. Immunity from liability
27Any state police officer, members of other law enforcement entities, radio or
28television broadcasters, or cable television operators, who transmit or display, or who
29fail to transmit or display such information concerning a missing child with ASD,
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HLS 26RS-324  ENGROSSED
  HB NO. 74
1and other entities who may become an active component of this effort, shall not be
2liable for any civil damages or criminal penalties as a result of any acts or omissions
3relative to the "Spectrum Alert" program.
  DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 74 Engrossed  2026 Regular Session  Echols
Abstract: Creates the Spectrum Alert system to alert the public when a child with Autism
  Spectrum Disorder (ASD) goes missing.
Proposed law directs the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) to develop a
Spectrum Alert system and lists requirements for the system.
Proposed law directs the DPS&C to develop training for law enforcement officers on
responding to Spectrum Alerts.
Proposed law limits liability for individuals assisting in response to a Spectrum Alert.
(Adds R.S. 40:2529.1-2529.4)
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.