TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) - A bill is filed in Florida, which could help find missing people with special needs.
This comes after a Live Oak boy, who had Autism, was found dead last August, after authorities spent days searching for the nine year old.
The bill would create "Project Leo" in several north Florida counties, including Hamilton and Suwannee.
The program would provide personal devices to air search-and-rescue efforts for people with special needs, in case they get lost, run away, or are kidnapped.
This will the be second time the bill goes through Florida lawmakers. Earlier this year, the house version of the bill was held up in the senate.
For the pilot program, participants would be selected through a first-come, first-serve basis though the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at the University of Florida.
It will be voluntary and free, but participants will be chosen based on their risk of elopement. Personal devices would be attached to participants' clothing, and would be provided by sheriff's offices.
If the bill passes, supporters hope to have the final results of the pilot program by the end of 2017.
