R.I. Assembly approves creation of ‘Purple Alert’ for missing adults with disabilities | Charlestown

The bill (2025-H 6165A, 2025-S 0983A) now goes to the governor.

“This is a missing piece in our statewide system of care for the health and safety of adults with disabilities,” said Spears (D-Dist. 36, Charlestown, New Shoreham, South Kingstown, Westerly), who serves as the executive director of the Community Provider Network of Rhode Island, which represents providers who support people with disabilities. “This legislation brings together law enforcement, disability advocates, media outlets and state agencies in a collaborative effort to build a system that works similarly to the alert programs that we already have to get out the word to our communities about a missing person whose disability and the circumstances of their disappearance place them in danger.”

The bill, which was amended to include elements of a similar bill (2025-H 6188) introduced in the House by Rep. Christopher G. Paplauskas (R-Dist. 15, Cranston), would establish an alert system similar to existing Silver and Amber Alerts to help locate a missing adult with a physical or neurological disability serious enough to warrant concern for their immediate safety and well-being. The disappearance would have to pose a credible threat to the immediate safety and health of the missing person in order to trigger the alert protocol.

To establish that the missing individual’s conditions were serious enough to warrant the alert, law enforcement would first review appropriate documentation from the missing person’s family, legal guardian or long-term care facility.

The Division of State Police, in collaboration with the Department of Health, cooperating media outlets, the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) and other appropriate agencies would develop the policies and procedures of the PURPLE Alert system, within the framework provided by the bill and the existing Integrated Public Alert and Warning System.

“An alert catches people’s attention and prompts action,” said Joanne G. Quinn, executive director of the Autism Project. “It gives urgency to a situation and when the community reacts quicker and takes the missing person alert seriously more people will be found sooner. It’s also critical to pair the alert with training of public safety personnel on how to engage best with members of the autistic community and other people with disabilities so they may answer the call out and not fear the people working to help them.”

The bill would also require RIEMA to annually review the policies and procedures of the PURPLE Alert system and provide annual trainings to all participating agencies. The training would be mandatory for all personnel involved in conducting PURPLE Alert operations.