What is a Purple Alert? Proposed WA legislation
OLYMPIA, Wash. - A public hearing on Tuesday advances efforts in the Washington legislature to create a "Purple Alert" for the state. The alert would streamline efforts from state agencies to try and find people with cognitive disabilities more effectively when they are reported missing.
Big picture view:
Senate Bill 6070 was sparked by the disappearance of Jonathan Hoang in March 2025. The family of the missing 21-year-old cites confusion around previous policies as their reason to push for change. At time of reporting, he still has not been found. The Washington Autism Alliance is helping back their efforts.
WA governor speaks on search for Jonathan Hoang
Governor Bob Ferguson is now joining the call for help and shared the missing poster for Jonathan Hoang, a 21-year-old with a developmental disability who disappeared on March 30.
What's next:
A Jan. 20 public hearing with the Washington Senate Law and Justice Committee Public Hearing will include discussion about the proposed Purple Alert system.
From there, it would need to eventually be passed in the state senate, state house, and signed by Governor Bob Ferguson, who has previously made public calls for action in the case of missing Jonathan Hoang.
What they're saying:
The Washington Autism Alliance released the following information about the bill and why the organization is supporting efforts to get it passed.
- "Clear standards for danger: Families and law enforcement currently lack consistent guidance on when a missing person is truly endangered. SB 6070 clearly defines high-risk situations, including when someone has a developmental disability, dementia, serious mental health crisis, suicidal ideation, or other conditions that prevent safe self-care.
- Faster action when it counts: The bill clarifies when courts may authorize rapid action to locate a missing endangered person, ensuring help is not delayed by uncertainty during life-threatening situations.
- Focus on the most vulnerable: SB 6070 centers those at the greatest risk when missing, including minors, vulnerable adults, people with developmental disabilities, individuals experiencing acute mental health crises, and people with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.
- Strong guardrails and accountability: This bill includes strict limits on how tools may be used, requires court approval or rapid post-use judicial review in emergencies, limits data collection to what is necessary, and requires deletion of non-relevant information. The focus remains on recovery and safety, not surveillance."
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