Bill > H3905

This bill, titled "To further protect children," amends Chapter 269 of the General Laws to establish new penalties for parents, legal guardians, or caretakers who fail to report a missing child or the death of a child. Specifically, it introduces a new section that makes it a crime, punishable by up to five years in state prison, for a parent, legal guardian, or caretaker to willfully fail to contact law enforcement or emergency personnel about a child aged 16 or younger whose whereabouts are unknown for over 48 hours. Furthermore, if a parent, legal guardian, or caretaker knows a child aged 16 or younger has died and does not report it to law enforcement or emergency personnel within one hour of the death, they can face imprisonment in state prison for up to five years, or a fine of up to $10,000 and imprisonment in a house of correction for up to two and a half years. These provisions aim to ensure prompt reporting of missing or deceased children to facilitate investigations and ensure child safety.