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Paterson proposes expanding Amber alerts to some adults

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Gov. David Paterson has proposed a bill to expand New York's AMBER-alert system to Alzheimer's sufferers and certain other adults.

The system is used now to disseminate missing child alerts to police, broadcast networks, Thruway signs, lottery terminals, airports and bus terminals. Paterson wants to expand it to cover adults who have a mental disability such as Alzheimer's disease, or a physical disability that prevents them from assisting in their own recovery.

Paterson also wants to include adults who have been abducted or are suicidal.

The Alzheimer's Association supports the bill.

New York would join at least eleven states that have enacted what are frequently called "Silver Alert" systems for seniors who go missing.