Powers and duties of clearinghouse; confidentiality of information collected

Sec. 7. (a) The clearinghouse shall do the following: (1) Collect, process, and maintain identification and investigative information to aid in finding missing children, missing veterans at risk, and missing endangered adults. (2) Establish a statewide, toll free telephone line for the reporting: (A) of missing children, missing veterans at risk, and missing endangered adults; and (B) of sightings of missing children, missing veterans at risk, and missing endangered adults. (3) Prescribe a uniform reporting form concerning missing children, missing veterans at risk, and missing endangered adults for use by law enforcement agencies within Indiana. (4) Assist in training law enforcement and other professionals on issues relating to missing children, missing veterans at risk, and missing endangered adults. (5) Operate a resource center of information regarding the prevention of: (A) the abduction of children; and (B) the sexual exploitation of children. (6) Distribute the quarterly directory prepared under section 6(b)(7) of this chapter to schools and hospitals. (7) Distribute the quarterly directory described in subdivision (6) to child care centers and child care homes that make an annual contribution of four dollars ($4) to the clearinghouse. The contributions must be used to help defray the cost of publishing the quarterly directory. (b) For a missing child who was born in Indiana, the clearinghouse shall notify the vital statistics division of the Indiana department of health: (1) within fifteen (15) days after receiving a report under IC 31-36-1-3 (or IC 31-6-13-4 before its repeal) of a missing child less than thirteen (13) years of age; and (2) promptly after the clearinghouse is notified that a missing child has been found. (c) Upon receiving notification under subsection (b) that a child is missing or has been found, the vital statistics division of the Indiana department of health shall notify the local health department or the health and hospital corporation that has jurisdiction over the area where the child was born. (d) Information collected, processed, or maintained by the clearinghouse under subsection (a) is confidential and is not subject to IC 5-14-3, but may be disclosed by the clearinghouse for purposes of locating missing children, missing veterans at risk, and missing endangered adults.