ATLANTA () — House Bill 465, the Autism Missing Person Alert System Act, passed unanimously out of the House Human Relations and Aging Committee, a local legislator said Friday.

HB 465 would add autism spectrum disorder to the list of conditions to activate the Mattie’s Call state-wide alert system for missing disabled adults. This activation would allow for local law enforcement to prioritize searching waterways and roadways, which is part of Mattie’s Call.

It would also allow for law enforcement to disclose autism-related behaviors that could help identifying a missing person with autism spectrum disorder, bill sponsor State Representative Carl Gilliard (D-Savannah) said.

Activation of the alert system for those with autism spectrum disorder would include guidance to local law enforcement to prioritize waterways and public roadways in their search and to disclose distinctive autism-related behaviors that can identify the missing person.

“Today, I am proud to see House Bill 465, the Autism Missing Person Alert System Act, pass unanimously out of the House Human Relations and Aging Committee,” said Rep. Gilliard. “This is a vital step forward in ensuring that individuals with autism spectrum disorder, who may be at increased risk of going missing, are given the attention and resources they deserve. I applaud the committee for their dedication to advancing this important legislation, and I look forward to seeing it continue its journey through the legislative process to better protect our most vulnerable citizens. I would also like to extend my thanks to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for their hard work and collaboration in helping to shape this legislation.”

HB 465 will now be considered by the House Rules Committee.

You can read the full bill here: