HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania lawmakers on Tuesday formally introduced legislation aimed at speeding the search for missing individuals with cognitive and developmental disabilities, invoking the death of a 6-year-old autistic boy whose disappearance shook Columbia County and renewed calls for action.
State Rep. Robert Leadbeter, a Republican from Columbia County, stood alongside family members of Aiden Ha, fellow legislators, and advocates to announce House Bill 2102, known as Aiden’s Law. The measure would establish a statewide “Purple Alert” system to rapidly notify the public and law enforcement when a person with certain cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities is reported missing.
The proposal is modeled after existing alert systems, including Amber Alerts for abducted children, Silver Alerts for missing older adults, and Green Alerts for at-risk veterans. Supporters say a Purple Alert would close a critical gap by recognizing the heightened danger faced by individuals who may be nonverbal, disoriented, or unable to seek help on their own.
Aiden Ha, a nonverbal autistic child, was found dead in a river in October after going missing, a case that galvanized lawmakers and advocates across the state. Leadbeter said the legislation is intended to ensure that future searches move faster and reach more people in the critical early hours.
“Aiden’s heartbreaking passing shattered our communities,” Leadbeter said, calling the bill both a public safety measure and a moral obligation. He said the effort has bipartisan backing and urged lawmakers to move swiftly to prevent similar tragedies.
If enacted, Pennsylvania would join a growing list of states with Purple Alert systems, including Florida, Maryland, Kansas, Mississippi, Connecticut, and West Virginia.
Advocates at the Capitol said the alert system could save lives by mobilizing residents, transportation agencies, and media outlets within minutes of a disappearance, giving families and law enforcement a broader and faster response when time is most critical.
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