2013 Revised Code of Washington
Title 13 - JUVENILE COURTS AND JUVENILE OFFENDERS
13.60 Missing children clearinghouse.
13.60.010 Missing children and endangered person clearinghouse -- Hotline -- Distribution of information -- Amber alert plan.

RCW 13.60.010 Missing children and endangered person clearinghouse — Hotline — Distribution of information — Amber alert plan.

(1) The Washington state patrol shall establish a missing children and endangered person clearinghouse which shall include the maintenance and operation of a toll-free telephone hotline. The clearinghouse shall distribute information to local law enforcement agencies, school districts, the department of social and health services, and the general public regarding missing children and endangered persons. The information shall include pictures, bulletins, training sessions, reports, and biographical materials that will assist in local law enforcement efforts to locate missing children and endangered persons. The state patrol shall also maintain a regularly updated computerized link with national and other statewide missing person systems or clearinghouses, and within existing resources, shall develop and implement a plan, commonly known as an "amber alert plan" or an "endangered missing person advisory plan," for voluntary cooperation between local, state, tribal, and other law enforcement agencies, state government agencies, radio and television stations, cable and satellite systems, and social media pages and sites to enhance the public's ability to assist in recovering abducted children and missing endangered persons consistent with the state endangered missing person advisory plan.

     (2) For the purposes of this chapter:

     (a) "Child" or "children" means an individual under eighteen years of age.

     (b) "Missing endangered person" means a person with a developmental disability as defined in RCW 71A.10.020(4) or a vulnerable adult as defined in RCW 74.34.020(17), believed to be in danger because of age, health, mental or physical disability, in combination with environmental or weather conditions, or is believed to be unable to return to safety without assistance.

[2013 c 285 § 1; 2009 c 20 § 1; 1985 c 443 § 22.]

Notes:

Severability -- Effective date -- 1985 c 443: See notes following RCW 7.69.010.