Title 42
State Affairs and Government

Chapter 28.8
Protection of Children

R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-28.8-7

§ 42-28.8-7. School records — Flagging required.

(a) Upon notification by the missing children’s information center of a person’s disappearance, the commissioner of education shall cause any school in which the person is currently or was previously enrolled to flag the record of that person in such a manner that whenever a copy of or information regarding the record is requested, the school shall be alerted to the fact that the record is that of a missing person.

(b) In response to any inquiry, the school shall not provide a copy of the school records or other information concerning the person whose record is flagged pursuant to this section except as approved by the missing children’s information center.

(c) When a copy of the school record of a person whose record has been flagged is requested in person, the school personnel accepting the request shall immediately notify his or her supervisor. The person making the request shall complete a form supplying his or her name, address, telephone number, social security number, and relationship to the missing person and the name, address, and birth date of the missing person. The driver’s license of the person making the request, if available, shall be photocopied and returned to him or her. He or she shall be informed that a copy of the records shall be mailed to him or her. The school personnel shall note the physical description of the person making the request, and, upon the latter’s departure from the school’s office, his or her supervisor shall immediately notify the missing children’s information center as to the request and the information obtained pursuant to this section. The school shall retain the form completed by the person making the request unless the missing children’s information center requests otherwise.

(d) When a copy of the school records of a person whose record has been flagged is requested in writing, the school personnel receiving the request shall immediately notify his or her supervisor. The supervisor shall immediately notify the local law enforcement authority or the missing children’s information center as to the request and shall provide a copy of the written request. The school shall retain the original written request unless otherwise requested by the missing children’s information center.

History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 252, § 2.