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| Date: | April 27, 2011 | | Contact Name: | Chris Van Guilder | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-1388 | | Contact Email: | christopher.vanguilder@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| SENATOR MILLER INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH NEXT-OF-KIN REGISTRY FOR VICTIMS OF SERIOUS ACCIDENTS |
St. Paul – State Senator Jeremy Miller (R-Winona) introduced a bill that establishes a next-of-kin registry available to emergency response personnel in the event of a serious accident.
Under the legislation, individuals would be able to voluntarily designate one or more contact persons to be notified in the event of a serious motor vehicle accident or other emergency situation that results in their inability to communicate.
“It’s extremely important that emergency responders know who to call in these serious situations,” Senator Miller said. “Sometimes law enforcement spends many hours trying to locate a loved one, and time is critical in saving lives. The program is entirely voluntary and, under Minnesota’s data privacy laws, only law enforcement and emergency personnel would have access to the information.”
The legislation would establish the database within the Minnesota Department of Motor Vehicles.
Miller explained, “A constituent who was an accident victim notified me of similar legislation in effect in Delaware. She and I agreed that this is an excellent idea worthy of discussion here in Minnesota. I spoke with local law enforcement and emergency personnel and they were all very supportive.”
Senator Miller expects the bill to receive bi-partisan support in the Legislature. It was referred to the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.
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