Arizona governor signs 'Emily's Law' to alert when Native Americans go missing
Source: NBC News/AP
May 14, 2025, 4:47 AM EDT
PHOENIX — Arizona’s governor on Tuesday signed legislation to create an alert system for Native Americans who have gone missing in the state, a measure that won unanimous approval from lawmakers in the wake of the disappearance and death of a San Carlos Apache teen.
With Gov. Katie Hobbs’ signature, Arizona becomes the latest state to join a movement that began in 2022 in Washington state to use alert systems to quickly share information about cases involving Native Americans.
Colorado, California and other states have adopted their own versions of such systems. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham recently signed what is known as “turquoise alert” legislation, and North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong approved a “feather alert.” The alerts take their names from items that hold spiritual and cultural significance to Native Americans.
Arizona’s “turquoise alert” legislation is also referred to as “Emily’s Law” to honor Emily Pike, whose remains were found Feb. 14 more than 100 miles (161 kilometers) from a group home she left in Mesa, Arizona, in late January. Pike’s death spurred a resurgence of activism aimed at bringing more awareness to the disproportionate number of disappearances and violent deaths that have gripped Native American communities for decades, and prompted lawmakers to amend the bill to recognize her.
Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/arizona-governor-signs-emilys-law-alert-native-americans-go-missing-rcna206692