Section 26-19-4

Specific functions of bureau.

ACMEC shall be responsible for the following specific functions:

(1) To receive and promptly enter into the Department of Public Safety's computer system all reports of law enforcement agencies, and other persons and agencies, of missing children and adults, exploited children, and of unidentified deceased persons, and all pertinent information submitted by the person or agency reporting which is contained in any investigation or investigations conducted pursuant to the report. ACMEC shall promptly enter the information in the NCIC computer network. If a missing person is subsequently found or if an unidentified deceased person is subsequently identified, and the information is reported to the ACMEC, ACMEC shall maintain, as necessary, the data for law enforcement purposes only.

(2) To coordinate with and provide assistance to state and local public and private nonprofit agencies, including those of other states and the federal government, in investigating cases of missing persons, exploited children, and unidentified bodies and to conduct appropriate investigations.

(3) To provide training to law enforcement officers, other professionals, and medical examiners, when available, on issues relating to missing persons, exploited children, and unidentified bodies.

(4) To compile annual statistics on the number of missing persons, exploited children, and unidentified deceased persons in this state.

(5) To develop recommendations for uniform reporting and investigation protocol for law enforcement agencies within this state and the use of computer systems.

(6) To establish and operate a toll free telephone number to assist agencies and individuals in the reporting of missing persons, exploited children, and unidentified deceased persons.

(7) To provide periodic lists, including photographs if available, to the State Board of Education, of all missing school children in this state, grades K-12.

(8) To assist local law enforcement agencies and other agencies to set up direct computer access to the state computer system.

(9) To solicit and collect from the state and local public and private nonprofit agencies in other states and of the national government dealing with missing persons all available lists of missing children grades K-12 for dissemination to the State Board of Education.

(10) To provide all state and local public and private nonprofit agencies in other states or of the national government dealing with missing persons a list of all missing Alabama children, with photographs, if available, for dissemination to the school systems of other states to locate the children.

(11) To act as liaison between private citizens and law enforcement agencies regarding the appropriate procedures for handling and responding to missing person cases and cases involving exploited children.

(12) To assist local law enforcement agencies and community organizations who sponsor programs to fingerprint children by enabling parents to retain a permanent fingerprint record of their children for identification purposes.

(13) To assist in the preparation and dissemination of fliers of missing persons, exploited children, and their abductors.

(14) To operate a resource center of information regarding prevention of abduction and sexual exploitation of children.

(Acts 1985, No. 85-538, p. 653, §4; Acts 1997, No. 97-416, p. 698, §1.)