MA H1719

Creates a new criminal offense for parents, legal guardians, or caretakers who willfully fail to contact law enforcement or emergency personnel when a child age 16 or younger has been missing for more than 48 hours, punishable by up to 5 years in state prison

Establishes a separate offense for parents, legal guardians, or caretakers who fail to notify law enforcement or emergency personnel of a child's death within 1 hour of learning about it

Penalties for failing to report a child's death include up to 5 years in state prison, or a fine up to $10,000 combined with up to 2.5 years in a house of correction

Adds Section 20 to Chapter 269 of the Massachusetts General Laws (the criminal offenses chapter)