§ 1828. Vermont Amber Alert Program

The Department of Public Safety shall establish the Vermont Amber Alert Program to aid in the identification and location of abducted children. The Department shall administer the program pursuant to the following:

(1) A law enforcement agency that verifies the abduction of a child shall notify the Department of Public Safety.

(2) The Department shall establish a procedure for verifying the need to issue an Amber Alert.

(3) The Department of Public Safety shall issue an alert over the Vermont Emergency Alert System if:

(A) a law enforcement agency notifies the Department of the abduction of a child;

(B) there is sufficient information about the child or the person suspected of abducting the child that an immediate broadcast might help locate the child; and

(C) the child is in danger of imminent death or serious bodily harm.

(4) An alert issued under this section shall be sent to the Federal Communications Commission's designated state Emergency Alert System broadcaster in Vermont. Participating radio and television stations shall broadcast the alert at intervals established by the Department. The alert shall include all information that the Department determines may assist in the safe recovery of the abducted child and instructions explaining how a person with information related to the abduction may contact a law enforcement agency.

(5) A law enforcement agency that locates a child who is the subject of an alert issued under this section shall immediately notify the law enforcement agency that requested the Amber Alert.

(6) An alert issued under this section shall be canceled:

(A) if the Department notifies the Federal Communications Commission's designated state Emergency Alert System broadcaster in Vermont that the child has been located; or

(B) at the expiration of a notification period specified by the Department.

(7) A radio or television station that accurately broadcasts information pursuant to this section shall not be liable for civil damages as a result of the broadcast of such information. (Added 2003, No. 33, § 1, eff. May 22, 2003; amended 2013, No. 26, § 1, eff. May 13, 2013.)