<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>54884</law_id><section_number>52-33</section_number><catch_line>Powers and duties of Clearinghouse</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="52">Police (State)</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="7">Missing Children Information Clearinghouse</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>The Clearinghouse shall have the following powers and duties:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> To maintain a centralized file for the exchange of information on missing children within the Commonwealth. The Clearinghouse shall accept a <span class="dictionary">missing child report</span> from any <span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement officer as defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="(Effective July 1, 2026) Definitions" href="/9.1-101/">9.1-101</a>. Any parent, guardian, legal custodian or other person standing in loco parentis of a missing child may contact the Clearinghouse to verify the entry of a <span class="dictionary">missing child report</span> on such child. If the Clearinghouse is requested to verify a <span class="dictionary">missing child report</span> which has not been received, the Clearinghouse shall immediately contact the appropriate <span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement agency and take such measures as may be necessary to determine whether a report should be entered in the centralized file. <a id="paragraph-201348" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/52-33/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> To maintain a system of intrastate communication to receive information relating to the disappearance or sighting of missing children. Such system shall be available twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week. <a id="paragraph-201349" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/52-33/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> To maintain close liaison with the National <span class="dictionary">Crime</span> Information Center and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for the exchange of information on children suspected of interstate or international travel and for assistance in the operation of the Clearinghouse. <a id="paragraph-201350" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/52-33/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> To circulate a monthly bulletin on missing children to the news media, all <span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement agencies, and every school in the Commonwealth. <a id="paragraph-201351" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/52-33/#4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="5"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> To provide emergency flyers containing physical and situational descriptions of missing children when requested by <span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement agencies. <a id="paragraph-201352" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/52-33/#5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="6"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> To provide for training of public and private organizations regarding the operation of the Clearinghouse. <a id="paragraph-201353" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/52-33/#6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="7"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> To provide assistance to <span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement agencies in planning and implementing programs to fingerprint children. <a id="paragraph-201354" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/52-33/#7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1985, c. 259; 2011, cc. 818, 852.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
