All Roll Calls
Yes: 210 • No: 8
Sponsored By: Vivian E. Watts (Democratic)
Became Law
Marcus alert system; external database information removal. Clarifies that an individual's information may continue to appear on a voluntary Marcus alert system external database that cannot be modified by a locality after such individual reaches 18 years of age. This bill is a recommendation of the Behavioral Health Commission.
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3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Localities with more than 40,000 people must adopt Marcus alert protocols that the state approves. Localities with 40,000 or fewer may adopt them. Population counts come from the 2020 U.S. Census. Every locality must set 9-1-1 rules that send suitable calls to a crisis call center for risk checks. When available, callers are routed to mobile crisis or community care teams.
The law puts the state behavioral health department in charge of Marcus alert rules. Beginning July 1, 2021, the department develops a written plan that sets roles and tracks progress. All police protocols and training are built with local behavioral-health partners and must be approved by the state. Protocols prioritize sending mobile crisis or other care first, with police as backup when diversion is not feasible. When police respond, protocols must, when feasible, use plain clothes or unmarked cars to reduce stress. Protocols and training include unobstructed body-worn camera use to review and improve responses.
Starting July 1, 2023, each locality offers a voluntary database for 9-1-1 and Marcus alert. You, a parent of a minor, or a court-appointed guardian can add contact and mental-health information. Records are removed at age 18 unless you or your guardian ask to keep them. If your data sits in an outside database the locality cannot change, it may not be removed. The law limits use of this data to emergency and crisis response only.
Vivian E. Watts
Democratic • House
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
All Roll Calls
Yes: 210 • No: 8
Senate vote • 2/23/2026
Passed Senate Block Vote
Yes: 38 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/20/2026
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)
Yes: 40 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/20/2026
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2026
Reported from Courts of Justice Block Vote
Yes: 13 • No: 0
House vote • 1/29/2026
Read third time and passed House
Yes: 93 • No: 5
House vote • 1/23/2026
Reported from Public Safety
Yes: 20 • No: 2
House vote • 1/22/2026
Subcommittee recommends reporting
Yes: 6 • No: 1
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0095)
Approved by Governor-Chapter 95 (effective 7/1/2026)
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB249)
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB249ER)
Enrolled
Signed by President
Signed by Speaker
Passed Senate Block Vote (38-Y 0-N 0-A)
Read third time
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Rules suspended
Reported from Courts of Justice Block Vote (13-Y 0-N)
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
Read third time and passed House (93-Y 5-N 0-A)
Read second time and engrossed
Read first time
Reported from Public Safety (20-Y 2-N)
Subcommittee recommends reporting (6-Y 1-N)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB249)
Assigned HPS sub: Subcommittee #2
Referred to Committee on Public Safety
Chaptered
4/6/2026
Enrolled
2/25/2026
Introduced
1/8/2026
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