Rep. Cook
State Rep. Tony Cook’s (R-Cicero) bill that would allow law enforcement officers to more quickly notify family members in the event of a person’s death or serious bodily injury, could soon be law.
Cook said this proposal would task the Bureau of Motor Vehicles with creating a database of emergency contacts that first responders could access in the event of serious accidents. Hoosiers with a driver’s license or a state ID card would list one or two adults as their emergency contact. The BMV would then create this Emergency Contact Database accessible by law enforcement.
“A constituent contacted me about not being notified by law enforcement that her son was involved in a car accident, and wasn’t called until approximately four hours later by the hospital chaplain telling her that her son had passed away,” Cook said. “By creating this database, we would be able to expedite this time-sensitive and delicate process of notifying loved ones in a reasonable amount of time.”
Cook said the BMV and police agencies have been supportive and joined efforts to pass this bill.
House Enrolled Act 1084 now moves to the governor’s desk for consideration as a new law. To learn more about this bill, visit iga.in.gov.
State Rep. Tony Cook (R-Cicero) represents House District 32, which includes all of Tipton County and portions of Hamilton, Madison, Delaware, Howard and Grant counties.