State Reps. Jerry Neyer and Angela Rigas this week were proud to spearhead the bipartisan, unanimous committee passage of his plan to modernize the Michigan Amber Alert System. House Bills 4517 and 4518 would modify the Amber Alert activation criteria and distribution processes to further enhance the safety and protection of Michigan children. The plan passed the House Families and Veterans Committee 10 – 0.

“I’m thankful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for uniting together and supporting our efforts to make real, necessary changes to our Amber Alert System,” said Neyer, R-Shepherd. “I think unanimous support like this proves that there are some issues that rise above the political fray. We can all agree that we must have an updated and responsive Amber Alert system to aid families in their time of greatest need.”

Neyer and Rigas introduced the plan after a tragedy rocked their communities. Six-year-old Rowan Milford Morey was killed by his biological father in an apparent murder-suicide in Isabella County, Michigan, on August 21, 2024. Both were found dead from gunshot wounds in a camper. Rowan’s mother, Brandi Morey-Pols, who shared custody, pled with local police to do a welfare check on her son after the father did not return Rowan to her care on schedule. Limitations in state law did not allow for the early activation of emergency response systems, meaning that when police finally did a welfare check, Rowan and his father were already dead.

Rigas’ bill – also known as The Rowan Act – empowers the Michigan State Police to activate the Amber Alert system when they believe a child is in danger. This change gives law enforcement the flexibility needed to respond swiftly in potentially life-threatening situations, putting safety above all else. Neyer’s bill modernizes the Amber Alert notification process by incorporating social media into broadcasts.

“Rowan’s life ended way too soon, but getting this legislation passed and signed into law in his honor will give families and law enforcement the resources to prevent tragedies like his from ever happening again,” said Rigas, R-Caledonia. “There is nothing more important than saving a child’s life, and our Amber Alert System should reflect that.”

###