Bill > H1331

This bill, titled "To further protect children," proposes amendments to Chapter 269 of the General Laws concerning the reporting of missing children. Specifically, it introduces a new section that establishes penalties for parents, legal guardians, or caretakers who willfully fail to report a missing child under 16 years old to law enforcement or emergency personnel if the child's whereabouts are unknown for over 48 hours; such an offense could result in up to five years in state prison. Furthermore, the bill mandates that if a parent, legal guardian, or caretaker knows of a child's death and fails to notify authorities within one hour of the event, they could face up to five years in state prison or a fine of up to $10,000 and imprisonment in a house of correction for up to two and a half years.