§15-3F-6. Notice to participating media; broadcast of alert.

(a) To participate, the media may agree, upon notice from the State Police via email or facsimile, to transmit information to the public about a missing cognitively impaired person that has occurred within their broadcast service region.

(b) The alerts shall include a description of the missing person, any known details of the circumstances surrounding the person becoming missing, and any other information as the State Police may consider pertinent and appropriate. The State Police shall in a timely manner update the broadcast media with new information when appropriate concerning the missing cognitively impaired person.

(c) The alerts also shall provide information concerning how those members of the public who have information relating to the missing cognitively impaired person may contact the State Police or other appropriate law-enforcement agency.

(d) Concurrent with the notice provided to the broadcast media, the State Police shall also notify the Department of Transportation, the Division of Highways, and the West Virginia Turnpike Commission of the "Purple Alert" so that the department and the affected authorities may, if possible, through the use of their variable message signs, inform the motoring public that a "Purple Alert" is in progress. The department and the affected authorities may provide information relating to the missing cognitively impaired person and information on how motorists may report any information they have to the State Police or other appropriate law-enforcement agency.

(e) The alerts shall terminate upon notice from the State Police.

(f) The Secretary shall develop and undertake a campaign to inform law-enforcement agencies about the "Purple Alert" program established under this article.