Title 42
State Affairs and Government

Chapter 28
State Police

§ 42-28-3.7. PURPLE alert.

(a) This section establishes the PURPLE alert program to immediately alert the community about a missing adult with a serious or substantial physical, behavioral health, neurological disability, or condition that objectively establishes concerns for the immediate safety and wellbeing of the missing person.

(b) The division of state police, in consultation with the Rhode Island emergency management agency (RIEMA) and other appropriate agencies shall develop and institute the PURPLE alert program. The PURPLE alert program shall establish a voluntary partnership among law enforcement agencies, media outlets, and other appropriate entities to send out emergency alerts designed to expediently assist in locating a PURPLE alert citizen by utilizing available resources including the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS).

(c) For purposes of this section and § 42-28-3.8, a “PURPLE alert citizen” means a person:

(1) Whose whereabouts are unknown;

(2) Whose domicile at the time the person is reported missing is Rhode Island;

(3) Whose age at the time the person is reported missing is eighteen (18) years of age or older;

(4) Who has a serious or substantial physical, behavioral health, neurological disability, or condition that objectively establishes concerns for the immediate safety and wellbeing of the missing person; and

(5) Whose disappearance poses a credible threat to the safety and health of such person, as determined by the state police or other law enforcement agency.

(d) The serious physical, behavioral health, or neurological disability or condition shall be demonstrated by appropriate documentation presented by the missing person’s family, legal guardian, long-term care ombudsperson, or long-term care facility where such person resides. Provided, however, that any medical or personal information provided pursuant to this section shall be kept strictly confidential and not subject to disclosure pursuant to chapter 2 of title 38 (“access to public records”).

(e) If a law enforcement agency has confirmed the disappearance of a missing adult with the above disability or conditions, the law enforcement agency shall immediately obtain descriptive information for the PURPLE alert; contact the state police to provide the descriptive information; and identify a point of contact within its agency.

(f) The PURPLE alert program shall provide a proactive emergency public alert plan, including, where appropriate, access and use of IPAWS as part of the response to the disappearance of a missing adult with a serious physical, behavioral health, neurological disability or condition. This program shall be capable of being expediently triggered by law enforcement personnel in accordance with protocols, procedures, and rules established by the division of state police 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 (“PURPLE alert”).