§ 10-13-8-10 — Program operating guidelines

The department shall adopt guidelines for
the operation and administration of the blue alert program, including
the following:
(1) Procedures for a law enforcement agency to notify the
department of the circumstances described in section 8(a)(1) of
this chapter.
(2) The information that a law enforcement agency must provide
to the department before issuing a blue alert.
(3) Procedures for the department to follow in confirming a law
enforcement agency's information and reporting the information
to each designated broadcaster or electronic billboard operator.
(4) Guidelines governing the voluntary blue alert program
agreement between the department and a broadcaster. The
agreement may include the following provisions:
(A) Upon receiving a notification as part of the blue alert
program, the broadcaster shall broadcast the information
contained in the notice on an intermittent basis for a period of
time as provided in the agreement between the department and
the broadcaster.
(B) The broadcaster shall treat the blue alert notification as an
emergency.
(C) The broadcaster shall ensure that the facsimile transmission
machine or other communication device used to receive a blue
alert notification is:
(i) generally available to receive a blue alert notification; and
(ii) located such that the broadcaster will immediately
become aware of an incoming blue alert notification.
(5) Guidelines governing the voluntary blue alert program
agreement between the department and an electronic billboard
operator. The agreement may include the following provisions:
(A) Upon receiving a notification as part of the blue 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 agreement between the
department and the electronic billboard operator.
(B) The electronic billboard operator shall treat the blue alert
notification as an emergency.
(C) The electronic billboard operator shall ensure that the
facsimile transmission machine or other communication device
used to receive a blue alert notification is:
(i) generally available to receive a blue alert notification; and
(ii) located such that the electronic billboard operator will
immediately become aware of an incoming blue alert
notification received during days and times when staff is
present to receive a blue alert notification.
(D) A limitation on the days and times that the electronic
billboard operator is required to have staff present to receive a
blue alert notification.
(6) The guidelines may require department staff, upon a
determination by the department to issue a blue alert, to
immediately send by facsimile transmission or other means of
communication the information that the department considers
necessary to one (1) or more electronic billboard operators
participating in the blue alert program if the blue alert occurs
during a period when the electronic billboard operator has agreed
to have staff present to receive a blue alert notification.
(7) Guidelines to ensure that releasing victim information is
proper, as to avoid improper next of kin notification.
(8) Guidelines to ensure that release of the information will not
compromise the investigation.

Legislative History

As added by P.L.38-2013, SEC.1.