Subd. 1. Definitions.

As used in sections 299C.52 to 299C.56, the following terms have the meanings given them:

1. (a) "Child" means any person under the age of 18 years or any person certified or known to be mentally incompetent.
2. (b) "CJIS" means Minnesota criminal justice information system.
3. (c) "Missing" means the status of a child after a law enforcement agency that has received a report of a missing child has conducted a preliminary investigation and determined that the child cannot be located.
4. (d) "NCIC" means National Crime Information Center.
5. (e) "Endangered" means that a law enforcement official has received sufficient evidence that the child is with a person who presents a threat of immediate physical injury to the child or physical or sexual abuse of the child.

Subd. 2. Establishment.

The commissioner of public safety shall maintain a Minnesota missing child program within the department to enable documented information about missing Minnesota children to be entered into the NCIC computer.

Subd. 3. Computer equipment and programs.

The commissioner shall provide the necessary computer hardware and computer programs to enter, modify, and cancel information on missing children in the NCIC computer through the CJIS. These programs must provide for search and retrieval of information using the following identifiers: physical description, name and date of birth, name and social security number, name and driver's license number, vehicle license number, and vehicle identification number. The commissioner shall also provide a system for regional, statewide, multistate, and nationwide broadcasts of information on missing children. These broadcasts shall be made by local law enforcement agencies where possible or, in the case of statewide or nationwide broadcasts, by the bureau of criminal apprehension upon request of the local law enforcement agency.

Subd. 4. Authority to enter or retrieve information.

Only law enforcement agencies may enter missing child information through the CJIS into the NCIC computer or retrieve information through the CJIS from the NCIC computer.

Subd. 5. Statistical data.

The commissioner shall annually compile and make available statistical information on the number of missing children entered into the NCIC computer and, if available, information on the number located.

Subd. 6. Rules.

The commissioner may adopt rules in conformance with sections 299C.52 to 299C.56 to provide for the orderly collection and entry of missing child information and requests for retrieval of missing child information.