Bill that notifies residents of escaped inmates signed into law
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – A bill that notifies people in close proximity about escaped inmates has been signed into law.
House Bill 1546 would instruct the Oklahoma Department of Corrections to develop an “Orange” Alert system to notify residents within a 40-mile radius of a correctional facility if an inmate has escaped.
Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, said the bill was crafted by high school senior Katie Edelen after a terrifying incident.
“Katie and her family lived through a frightening situation created by escaped inmates,” Moore said. “I could not be more proud of her courage and leadership in taking such a difficult situation and working to produce a positive result by creating this language to protect the residents of the state of Oklahoma. Residents who have a prison nearby deserve to be notified immediately if their safety is in danger from an escaped prisoner.”
Moore explained that the Orange Alert would be similar to the state’s Amber Alert system that appears on people’s cell phones. The alert would be sent to residents living within a 40-mile radius of the facility the inmate escaped from.
On Thursday, Gov. Stitt signed HB 1546 into law.