When a person with a disability goes missing in Louisiana, there is no statewide system to alert the public. That means precious time can be lost because current emergency alert systems don’t recognize the unique vulnerabilities of people with autism, Down syndrome, traumatic brain injuries, or other cognitive disabilities.

Amber Alerts are used when children are abducted. Silver Alerts cover older adults. But there is no specific alert system in Louisiana for individuals under 60 with intellectual or developmental disabilities who go missing. That leaves families in crisis, and law enforcement without the tools they need to mobilize the public.

A Purple Alert system is designed to fill that gap. These alerts notify the public when a person with a cognitive or developmental disability is reported missing. They appear on highway signs, phones, media outlets, and social media platforms—spreading the word fast and increasing the chances of a safe recovery.

Five states, including Florida, Maryland, and Connecticut, have already implemented Purple Alert systems. Florida launched the nation’s first in 2021, and other states have followed after tragic outcomes highlighted the need.

One of those tragedies was the death of 6-year-old Aiden Ha, a nonverbal autistic boy who went missing in Pennsylvania in October 2025. Despite a multi-agency search, Aiden was found dead in a nearby river the next day. Pennsylvania is now working to pass “Aiden’s Law” to ensure there is a system in place to alert the public when someone like Aiden disappears.

Louisiana must not wait for a tragedy to act.

We call on the Louisiana State Legislature and Governor Jeff Landry to pass legislation creating a Purple Alert system. Every Louisiana family deserves to know that if their loved one with a disability goes missing, the state is ready to help bring them home.

Sign this petition to demand action. It’s time for Louisiana to protect its most vulnerable residents with a system built for their safety.