HB 4 Summary

• Creates the crime of failure to report a missing child in the first degree as a Class B felony when a parent or guardian of a child 12 years or younger willfully or negligently fails to verify the child's whereabouts and safety within 24 hours and report the child missing to law enforcement, resulting in great bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement.

• Establishes the crime of failure to report a missing child in the second degree as a Class C felony for the same conduct without the requirement of harm to the child.

• Creates the crime of failure to report the death of a child as a Class C felony when a parent or guardian fails to report a child's death to law enforcement within one hour of learning of the death.

• Establishes the crime of false reporting to law enforcement authorities in the first degree as a Class C felony when a parent or guardian knowingly gives false information with intent to mislead or impede an investigation involving the child.

• Amends existing false reporting law by designating it as false reporting to law enforcement authorities in the second degree, maintaining it as a Class A misdemeanor; the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval.