News Summary
Arizona has passed House Bill 2281, known as ‘Emily’s Law,’ to establish the ‘turquoise alert’ system aimed at enhancing responses to missing Indigenous individuals, particularly children and teens. Signed by Governor Katie Hobbs, this law responds to the urgent need for improved tracking following the tragic death of 14-year-old Emily Pike. With over 10,600 Indigenous individuals reported missing in 2023, this initiative seeks to fill gaps in current alert mechanisms, ensuring quicker responses and collaboration among law enforcement agencies.
Arizona Enacts “Emily’s Law” for Missing Indigenous Persons
Arizona lawmakers have unanimously passed House Bill 2281, known as “Emily’s Law,” which establishes a new alert system named the “turquoise alert.” This initiative aims to enhance the public’s response to cases involving missing Indigenous individuals, particularly those from federally recognized tribes, including children and teens. The legislation was signed by Governor Katie Hobbs on May 21, 2025, during a ceremonial event at the Arizona Capitol, marking a significant step towards improving the safety and welfare of Indigenous communities throughout the state.
The emerald alert system will address gaps in current alert mechanisms such as Amber Alerts for abducted children and Silver Alerts for missing elderly persons. This is particularly pertinent to cases involving individuals who do not meet the strict criteria for these existing alerts but are nonetheless considered endangered.
The law was conceived following the tragic disappearance and subsequent death of 14-year-old Emily Pike, a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, who was reported missing in February 2025. Emily’s death highlighted the urgent need for improved tracking and rapid response systems for missing Indigenous persons, leading parents, family members, and community advocates to advocate for legislative change.
Key Features of the Turquoise Alert System
House Bill 2281 passed with overwhelming support in the state legislature, receiving a 57-0 vote in the House. Following amendments in the Senate, the bill was expanded to protect minors under 18 years of age, ensuring a comprehensive approach to safeguard vulnerable populations.
State Representative Teresa Martinez, who sponsored the bill, has emphasized the importance of such measures for preventing future tragedies. The turquoise alert system aims to foster collaboration between tribal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, ensuring quicker responses when Indigenous individuals are reported missing. The system will specifically target individuals under the age of 65 and categorize them as endangered.
Statistics and Community Impact
In 2023 alone, more than 10,600 Indigenous individuals were reported missing across the United States, underscoring the need for sophisticated tracking and response systems. Emily’s case has drawn national attention to this ongoing crisis, prompting a significant community response and advocacy efforts.
As a result of Emily’s Law, there are plans to address historical jurisdictional barriers that have traditionally hampered effective responses in missing persons investigations among Indigenous communities. Following the passage of this law, the reward for information surrounding Emily’s case has increased to $150,000, funded jointly by the FBI and the San Carlos Apache Tribe.
Background Context
Arizona joins other states such as Washington, Colorado, and New Mexico in initiating similar alert systems for Indigenous communities. This collective response comes in light of growing national awareness of the crisis concerning missing and murdered Indigenous persons, an issue that has gained increased visibility and prompted legislative solutions. Emily’s Law is seen as a pivotal move towards recognizing and affirming the safety needs of Indigenous populations within Arizona.
While the emotional toll of Emily’s tragic death weighs heavily on her family and community, the introduction of the turquoise alert system provides a sense of hope and commitment to improving the response and tracking of missing Indigenous individuals. As Arizona implements this new initiative, advocates remain focused on the ongoing fight for the safety and justice of Indigenous persons across the nation.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Fox 10 Phoenix
- Wikipedia: Missing and murdered Indigenous women
- Pinal Central
- Google Search: Emily’s Law Arizona
- ABC 15
- Google Scholar: Indigenous missing persons law
- NBC San Diego
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Missing Person
- Arizona Mirror
- Google News: Emily’s Law
