Sec. 8.1. (a) In addition to an agreement with a broadcaster under section 8 of this chapter, the clearinghouse may enter into an agreement with one (1) or more electronic billboard operators to display Amber alerts or silver alerts under this section. An agreement under this section may include a limitation on the days and times that the electronic billboard operator is required to have staff present to receive an Amber alert or a silver alert notification.

     (b) The department’s guidelines adopted under section 8 of this chapter may require staff, upon receiving a report that a child has been abducted, an endangered child is missing, or an endangered adult is missing, to immediately send electronically or by other means of communication a description of the abducted child, missing endangered child, or missing endangered adult to one (1) or more electronic billboard operators participating in the Amber alert program or silver alert program if the Amber alert or silver alert occurs during a period when the electronic billboard operator has agreed to have staff present to receive an Amber alert notification or a silver alert notification.

Terms Used In Indiana Code 10-13-5-8.1

  • Amber alert program: means a program under which the clearinghouse transmits information about a recently abducted child to broadcasters who:

    Indiana Code 10-13-5-1

  • broadcaster: means the operator of a radio or television station. See Indiana Code 10-13-5-2
  • clearinghouse: refers to the Indiana clearinghouse for information on missing children and missing endangered adults established by section 5 of this chapter. See Indiana Code 10-13-5-3
  • missing endangered adult: means an adult who is a high risk missing person under the definition in IC 5-2-17-1. See Indiana Code 10-13-5-4.3
  • missing endangered child: means a missing child who is believed to be incapable of returning to the missing child's residence without assistance because of:

    Indiana Code 10-13-5-4.4

  • silver alert program: means a program under which the clearinghouse transmits information about missing endangered adults or missing endangered children to broadcasters who:

    Indiana Code 10-13-5-4.6

     (c) An electronic billboard operator participating in the Amber alert program or silver alert program shall immediately display:

(1) a description of the abducted child, missing endangered child, or missing endangered adult; and

(2) other information that will assist in locating the abducted child, missing endangered child, or missing endangered adult;

to the general public in accordance with the Amber alert plan agreement or silver alert plan agreement between the clearinghouse and the electronic billboard operator.

     (d) The department shall adopt guidelines governing the voluntary Amber alert program and the voluntary silver alert program agreements between the clearinghouse and an electronic billboard operator. The voluntary agreements between the clearinghouse and the electronic billboard operator may include the following provisions:

(1) Upon receiving a notification as part of the Amber alert program, or the silver alert program, the electronic billboard operator shall display the information contained in the notice on an intermittent basis for a period of time as provided in the agreements between the clearinghouse and the electronic billboard operator.

(2) The electronic billboard operator shall treat the Amber alert notification or the silver alert notification as an emergency.

(3) The electronic billboard operator shall ensure that the form of communication used to receive an Amber alert notification or a silver alert notification is:

(A) generally available to receive an Amber alert notification, or a silver alert notification; and

(B) located such that the electronic billboard operator will immediately become aware of an incoming Amber alert notification or a silver alert notification received during days and times when staff is present to receive an Amber alert notification or a silver alert notification.

As added by P.L.66-2007, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.43-2009, SEC.9; P.L.115-2018, SEC.4.