2025 -- H 6188
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LC002683
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
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
(1) In the case of a missing adult with an intellectual disability, the first few hours are 2
critical in finding such an adult. 3
(2) A standardized state system is necessary to aid in the search for such an adult. 4
(3) A coordinated local law enforcement and state agency response with prompt and 5
widespread sharing of information will improve the chances of finding such an adult. 6
(4) The implementation of a standardized state system to aid in the search for a missing 7
adult with an intellectual disability alert program is necessary for the immediate preservation of the 8
public peace, health, and safety. 9
SECTION 2. Chapter 42-28 of the General Laws entitled "State Police" is hereby amended 10
by adding thereto the following sections: 11
42-28-3.7. Missing adult with an intellectual disability -- Purple Alert. 12
(a) This section shall be known and may be referred to as the "Linda DaLomba Purple Alert 13
Act." 14
(b) The division of state police, in consultation with other appropriate agencies including, 15
without limitation, the department of health, shall institute a voluntary partnership among law 16
enforcement agencies, media outlets and other appropriate entities to send out emergency alerts 17
entitled "Purple Alert" to aid in the search for a missing adult with an intellectual disability, as part 18
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of the integrated public alert and warning system ("IPAWS"). 1
(c) For purposes of this section, a "missing adult with an intellectual disability" means: 2
(1) A person whose whereabouts are unknown; 3
(2) A person who has a mental or cognitive disability that is not Alzheimer's disease or a 4
dementia-related disorder; an intellectual disability or a developmental disability, as those terms 5
are defined in § 40.1-1-8.1 or by the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental 6
disabilities and hospitals (BHDDH); a brain injury; another physical, mental, or emotional 7
disability that is not related to substance abuse; or a combination of any of these; 8
(3) A person whose disappearance indicates a credible threat of danger or serious bodily 9
harm to themself, as determined by the state police or other law enforcement agency; 10
(4) A person who may not be returned to safety without law enforcement intervention; and 11
(5) A person who does not meet the criteria for activation of a local "Missing Senior Citizen 12
Alert" or the Rhode Island State Police Missing Senior Citizen Alert procedures for protocol and 13
implementation plan. 14
(d) The missing adult's intellectual disability shall be demonstrated by the appropriate 15
documentation presented by the missing adult's family, legal guardian, caregiver, medical treatment 16
provider, or long-term care facility where such adult resides. 17
(e) The Purple Alert program shall provide a pro-active emergency public alert plan as part 18
of the response to the disappearance of a missing adult with an intellectual disability that may be 19
expediently triggered by law enforcement personnel in accordance with protocols, procedures and 20
rules established by the division of state police pursuant to the provisions of subsection (g) of this 21
section in consultation with appropriate law enforcement authorities, the Rhode Island emergency 22
management agency, the department of health, state and local officials and cooperating members 23
of the broadcast media. 24
(f) If a law enforcement agency other than the state police has confirmed the disappearance 25
of a missing adult with an intellectual disability, the law enforcement agency shall obtain 26
descriptive information for the “Purple Alert,” contact the state police to provide the descriptive 27
information to the state police and identify a point of contact within its agency. 28
(g) The division of state police shall establish protocols, procedures and rules to implement 29
a "Purple Alert." The protocols, procedures and rules shall be updated as may be necessary in 30
consultation with the entities and agencies involved in the "Purple Alert" process to provide 31
effective and efficient procedures to assist law enforcement agencies, broadcast media and other 32
cooperating agencies or entities in carrying out the provisions of the "Purple Alert" system. 33
(h) The Rhode Island emergency management agency ("RIEMA") shall, no later than 34
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January 1, 2026, and annually thereafter review the policies and procedures implemented and 1
conducted in accordance with the provisions of this section. The review shall involve all agencies 2
that participate in IPAWS. 3
(i) RIEMA shall conduct and keep records for annual training to be provided for all 4
participating agencies utilizing the IPAWS system. Training pursuant to this subsection shall be 5
mandatory for all personnel employed and involved in conducting IPAWS Purple Alert operations. 6
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage. 7
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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 1
intellectual disabilities to publicly disseminate emergency alerts regarding a missing adult with an 2
intellectual disability, whose disappearance indicates a credible threat of danger or serious bodily 3
harm to the missing adult. 4
This act would take effect upon passage. 5
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