HB1 - Caylee's Law Summary

• Creates two new crimes: failure to report a missing child in the first degree (Class C felony) and second degree (Class A misdemeanor) when a custodian fails to report a missing child with willful or reckless disregard for the child's safety.

• Requires a child's custodian to report to law enforcement when the child's whereabouts are unknown and the custodian knows or has substantial reason to believe the child is abducted, a victim of serious harm or sexual exploitation, or is lost or runaway.

• First degree offense applies when the child suffers serious bodily harm or death; second degree applies to any failure to report with willful or reckless disregard.

• Allows as a defense to prosecution that the custodian made reasonably diligent efforts to verify the child's whereabouts and safety during any delay in making the report.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.