Florida Statutes 937.025 – Missing children; student records; reporting requirements; penalties
Current as of: 2024 | Check for updates
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(1) Notwithstanding any law that provides for the confidentiality of student records maintained by a public or private school, upon notification by the Department of Law Enforcement that a child is listed or reported as a missing child, the school in which the child is currently enrolled, or was previously enrolled, shall flag the student records in such a manner that whenever a copy of or information concerning the records of the missing child is requested, the person authorized to provide such copy or information is alerted to the fact that the child has been listed or reported as missing.
(2) The school shall immediately report to the local law enforcement agency and the Department of Law Enforcement any request concerning flagged student records, and shall report any information regarding the request that may assist law enforcement agencies in locating the missing child.
(3) The school or any employee of the school who provides such notification and information in good faith is immune from civil liability for reporting and providing the information.
(4) Upon notification by the Department of Law Enforcement that the records no longer need to be flagged, the school shall remove the flag from the student records.
(5) Notwithstanding any other law, an employee of the state or a local governmental agency, a person who is employed under a contract with the state or a local governmental agency, or an employee of a public or private school within the state shall promptly report to the local law enforcement agency and the Department of Law Enforcement any information received or possessed that could assist in:
For details, see Fla. Stat. § 775.082(4)(a)
(a) Locating a child who has been reported as missing.
Attorney's Note
Under the Florida Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| misdemeanor of the first degree | up to 1 year | up to $1,000 |
Terms Used In Florida Statutes 937.025
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- Department: means the Department of Law Enforcement. See Florida Statutes 937.0201
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- Missing child: means a person younger than 18 years of age whose temporary or permanent residence is in, or is believed to be in, this state, whose location has not been determined, and who has been reported as missing to a law enforcement agency. See Florida Statutes 937.0201
- person: includes individuals, children, firms, associations, joint adventures, partnerships, estates, trusts, business trusts, syndicates, fiduciaries, corporations, and all other groups or combinations. See Florida Statutes 1.01
(b) Ascertaining the identity of the person who has actual custody of a missing child.
(c) Determining whether a missing child is in danger of physical injury or death.
(6) Any person who makes a report in good faith to a law enforcement agency as required by this section is immune from civil liability for such action.