RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) — The “Ashanti Alert” bill is continuing to move through the Virginia General Assembly, after a Senate committee voted unanimously in favor the bill.
The Virginia Courts of Justice Committee voted 15-0 on Monday in favor of the bill, which was drafted by Del. Jerrauld “Jay” Jones, of Norfolk, last November.
The bill — which has also been making its way through the House of Delegates — would setup an Amber Alert-type of system for “critically missing” adults.
According to the bill, this means adults who are missing, believed to have been abducted and whose “disappearance poses a credible threat to his health and safety.” The public would receive notification of these missing adults — not unlike the current Amber and Silver alert systems.
It is named for 19-year-old Ashanti Billie, who was abducted from Joint Expeditiary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, and was later found dead in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Eric Brown, a retired Navy veteran, is charged with Billie’s abduction.
If passed and signed into law, it’s expected to cost the state $50,000 — but that money would help Virginia State Police update their computer systems for the program.
Rep. Scott Taylor (R-Va) and other members of the House of Representatives introduced the idea of the “Ashanti Alert” at the Congressional level earlier this month.
Stay with WAVY.com for the latest developments.
