Title 42
State Affairs and Government

Chapter 28
State Police

R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-28-3.8

§ 42-28-3.8. PURPLE alert procedures for protocol and implementation.

(a) The division of state police in consultation with the Rhode Island emergency management agency (RIEMA) 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 providing an emergency alert to the public in response to a missing adult with a serious physical, behavioral health, neurological disability or condition.

(b) The Rhode Island emergency management agency (“RIEMA”) shall, no later than 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.

(c) 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.

History of Section.
P.L. 2025, ch. 39, § 1, effective June 13, 2025; P.L. 2025, ch. 40, § 1, effective June 13, 2025.