ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Saturday was an emotional day for Cindy and Kevin Jamison because Georgia senators passed SB23, the Stacey Nicole English Act, on crossover day.
The bill is named after the Jamisons' daughter.
"It's been a long time coming, and we worked hard to get to this point to make it happen, to help others going forward, to save lives," said Cindy Jamison.
"We don't want another family to go through the missing of a loved one. We believe this bill, SB23, known as the Stacey Nicole English Act, is going to do so much to bring awareness to anybody reported missing. There is no delay for a person with a medical condition," said Kevin Jamison.
Their daughter was reported missing on Dec. 26, 2011. Her body was found in some woods 12 miles from her Buckhead home almost a month later. Fulton County's medical examiner determined no foul play was involved, English died of hypothermia due to an underlying mental condition.
"Her car was found running in the middle of the road on Dec. 26. We weren't notified her car was found running in the middle of the road until almost two weeks later," said Cindy Jamison.
Senate Bill 23 allows people who apply for a driver's license to include emergency contact information. In English's case, she lived alone. When police found her car, no one was at her home for them to alert.
"We thought that was so important because if we had been notified on the night of Dec. 26 that her car was found running in the middle of the road, then we would have sprung into action at that time," said Cindy Jamison.
The bill also requires law enforcement to act immediately when someone with a known medical condition is reported missing.
"If our daughter can speak to save one life, that's enough," said Kevin Jamison.
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