2025 -- H 6188

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LC002683

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- STATE POLICE -- THE LINDA

DALOMBA PURPLE ALERT ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Paplauskas, Baginski, Newberry, Quattrocchi, Read,
Chippendale, Fascia, Noret, Solomon, and J. Brien

     Date Introduced: April 04, 2025

     Referred To: House State Government & Elections

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. The general assembly makes the following findings of fact:

     (1) In the case of a missing adult with an intellectual disability, the first few hours are

critical in finding such an adult.

     (2) A standardized state system is necessary to aid in the search for such an adult.

     (3) A coordinated local law enforcement and state agency response with prompt and

widespread sharing of information will improve the chances of finding such an adult.

     (4) The implementation of a standardized state system to aid in the search for a missing

adult with an intellectual disability alert program is necessary for the immediate preservation of the

public peace, health, and safety.

     SECTION 2. Chapter 42-28 of the General Laws entitled "State Police" is hereby amended

by adding thereto the following sections:

     42-28-3.7. Missing adult with an intellectual disability -- Purple Alert.

     (a) This section shall be known and may be referred to as the "Linda DaLomba Purple Alert

Act."

     (b) The division of state police, in consultation with other appropriate agencies including,

without limitation, the department of health, shall institute a voluntary partnership among law

enforcement agencies, media outlets and other appropriate entities to send out emergency alerts

entitled "Purple Alert" to aid in the search for a missing adult with an intellectual disability, as part

of the integrated public alert and warning system ("IPAWS").

     (c) For purposes of this section, a "missing adult with an intellectual disability" means:

     (1) A person whose whereabouts are unknown;

     (2) A person who has a mental or cognitive disability that is not Alzheimer's disease or a

dementia-related disorder; an intellectual disability or a developmental disability, as those terms

are defined in § 40.1-1-8.1 or by the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental

disabilities and hospitals (BHDDH); a brain injury; another physical, mental, or emotional

disability that is not related to substance abuse; or a combination of any of these;

     (3) A person whose disappearance indicates a credible threat of danger or serious bodily

harm to themself, as determined by the state police or other law enforcement agency;

     (4) A person who may not be returned to safety without law enforcement intervention; and

     (5) A person who does not meet the criteria for activation of a local "Missing Senior Citizen

Alert" or the Rhode Island State Police Missing Senior Citizen Alert procedures for protocol and

implementation plan.

     (d) The missing adult's intellectual disability shall be demonstrated by the appropriate

documentation presented by the missing adult's family, legal guardian, caregiver, medical treatment

provider, or long-term care facility where such adult resides.

     (e) The Purple Alert program shall provide a pro-active emergency public alert plan as part

of the response to the disappearance of a missing adult with an intellectual disability that may be

expediently triggered by law enforcement personnel in accordance with protocols, procedures and

rules established by the division of state police pursuant to the provisions of subsection (g) of this

section in consultation with appropriate law enforcement authorities, the Rhode Island emergency

management agency, the department of health, state and local officials and cooperating members

of the broadcast media.

     (f) If a law enforcement agency other than the state police has confirmed the disappearance

of a missing adult with an intellectual disability, the law enforcement agency shall obtain

descriptive information for the “Purple Alert,” contact the state police to provide the descriptive

information to the state police and identify a point of contact within its agency.

     (g) The division of state police shall establish protocols, procedures and rules to implement

a "Purple Alert." The protocols, procedures and rules shall be updated as may be necessary in

consultation with the entities and agencies involved in the "Purple Alert" process to provide

effective and efficient procedures to assist law enforcement agencies, broadcast media and other

cooperating agencies or entities in carrying out the provisions of the "Purple Alert" system.

     (h) The Rhode Island emergency management agency ("RIEMA") shall, no later than

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January 1, 2026, and annually thereafter review the policies and procedures implemented and

conducted in accordance with the provisions of this section. The review shall involve all agencies

that participate in IPAWS.

     (i) RIEMA shall conduct and keep records for annual training to be provided for all

participating agencies utilizing the IPAWS system. Training pursuant to this subsection shall be

mandatory for all personnel employed and involved in conducting IPAWS Purple Alert operations.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- STATE POLICE -- THE LINDA

DALOMBA PURPLE ALERT ACT

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     This act would establish the "Linda DaLomba Purple Alert Act" for missing adults with

intellectual disabilities to publicly disseminate emergency alerts regarding a missing adult with an

intellectual disability, whose disappearance indicates a credible threat of danger or serious bodily

harm to the missing adult.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC002683

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