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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
turquoise alerts; statewide; training
Purpose
Requires each law enforcement agency to develop and conduct employee training on the Turquoise Alert System and the issuance of a turquoise alert, as modified.
Background
The Turquoise Alert System is a quick response system designed to issue and coordinate alerts following the report of a missing person who is a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe. On the request of an authorized person at a law enforcement agency that is investigating a report of a missing person, the Department of Public Safety must request an activation of the federally authorized Emergency Alert System and issue a turquoise alert if all of the following conditions are met: 1) the missing person is under 65 years old; 2) the investigating agency has used all available local resources, determined that the person has gone missing under unexplained or suspicious circumstances and believes that the person is in danger or in the company of a potentially dangerous person or that there are other factors indicating that the person may be in peril; and 3) there is information available that, if disseminated to the public, could assist in the safe recovery of the missing person (A.R.S. § 41-1728.01).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Instructs each law enforcement agency to:
a) develop, implement and regularly update training criteria regarding the Turquoise Alert System; and
b) conduct Turquoise Alert System training for all employees of the agency, at the time of hire and biannually, who have direct involvement in missing person cases, including the supervisors of these employees and communication dispatchers.
2. Requires the training to be comprehensive and create a solid foundation of knowledge regarding the legal criteria and processes involved in issuing a timely turquoise alert.
3. Stipulates that the training must include a review of the law enforcement agency's policies and any state policies regarding locating a missing, abducted or runaway child, with a specific focus on turquoise alert procedures.
4. Specifies that the Turquoise Alert System issues statewide and coordinates statewide turquoise alerts.
5. Stipulates that the investigating law enforcement agency must use all available resources which includes complying with the prescribed mandatory reporting requirements and information collection procedures if the person is a missing, kidnapped or runaway child.
6. Makes technical and conforming changes.
7. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 16, 2026
KJA/KM/hk