CT HB06643

Creates a new offense of "failure to report a crime" when a person witnesses murder, felony assault, felony sexual assault, or felony child physical abuse and does not report it to law enforcement as soon as reasonably practicable.

Establishes affirmative defenses allowing defendants to avoid liability if they reasonably believed reporting would expose them or another person to substantial physical injury, another person had already reported the crime, or the defendant was the crime victim.

Provides an additional affirmative defense for defendants who took action to stop the crime's commission or completion.

Classifies failure to report a serious crime as a class A misdemeanor.

Effective date of October 1, 2009.