Turquoise Alert signed into law to address MMIP crisis in Arizona

Arizona tribal leaders and state officials gathered May 21 to witness Gov. Katie Hobbs ceremonially sign House Bill 2281, also known as Emily’s Law, according to the Arizona Mirror. The law establishes the Turquoise Alert System to issue statewide alerts for missing Indigenous or endangered persons under age 65 who do not qualify for Amber or Silver Alerts.

The law honors 14-year-old Emily Pike, a San Carlos Apache girl who was found dead earlier this year. Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis said the system closes jurisdictional and age-related gaps and encourages collaboration between tribal, state and local law enforcement. The Department of Public Safety will oversee the system, which can be implemented immediately when the law takes effect later this year. Arizona is the fifth state to enact such an alert system.