# Public Safety (GPS)

## Title 3. Law Enforcement

### Subtitle 6. Missing Persons

#### Section 3-604

(a)

  (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

  (2) "Caregiver" means a parent, spouse, guardian, legal custodian, or person responsible for the supervision of another adult.

  (3) "Law enforcement agency" means a State, county, or municipal police department or agency, or a sheriff's department.

  (4) "Missing person" means an individual:

    (i) whose whereabouts are unknown;

    (ii) who suffers a cognitive impairment including a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or dementia to the extent that the individual requires assistance from a caregiver; and

    (iii) whose disappearance poses a credible threat to the health and safety of the individual due to age, health, mental or physical disability, environment, or weather conditions, as determined by a law enforcement agency.

(b)

  (1) The Department of State Police shall establish a Silver Alert Program to provide a system for rapid dissemination of information to assist in locating a missing person.

  (2) The Department of State Police shall:

    (i) adopt guidelines and develop procedures for issuing a Silver Alert for a missing person;

    (ii) provide training to local law enforcement agencies on the guidelines and procedures to be used to handle a report of a missing person;

    (iii) provide assistance to a local law enforcement agency, as necessary, to assist in the safe recovery of a missing person;

    (iv) recruit public and commercial television and radio broadcasters, local volunteer groups, and other members of the public to assist in developing and implementing a Silver Alert;

    (v) consult with the State Highway Administration to establish a plan for providing information relevant to a Silver Alert to the public through the dynamic message sign system located across the State; and

    (vi) consult with the State Department of Education to develop a program that:

      (1) allows high school students to assist in the search for a missing person under this section;

      (2) complies with COMAR 13A.03.02.06; and

      (3) is consistent with the student service-learning guidelines developed by the State Department of Education.

(c) A caregiver or person filing a report regarding a missing person immediately shall notify the local law enforcement agency with which the report was filed and the Department of State Police if:

  (1) the missing person who was the subject of the report is located; and

  (2) it is unlikely that the local law enforcement agency or the Department of State Police has knowledge that the missing person has been located.

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Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)