North Dakota House considers bill expanding Silver Alert requests

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR)  — A North Dakota House Committee hears testimony on a bill that would make it easier for people to request Silver alerts.

The new bill clarifies which situations qualify for the alerts as well as the ability of law enforcement to issue them.

It also adds non-family members who have frequent contact with a vulnerable adult to those able to request an alert.

Currently, only family members can request one.

Lisa Liken Monroe gave emotional testimony on how her request for a silver alert for her 88-year-old father Lloyd Liken was denied because he didn’t have an Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis.

“It was a devastating blow to our family to find out that Dad did not qualify because he did not have a medical diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s,” Monroe said. “We had recently learned that, on two occasions, law enforcement officers had helped him find his way home. But even that did not qualify him for a Silver Alert.”

Lloyd Liken went missing in late 2023. His body was found the following April.

The committee took no action on the bill.