MA H1782

Creates new criminal offense for caregivers who fail to notify law enforcement or emergency personnel of a child's death within 2 hours, when done to mislead officials or impede investigation, punishable by up to 10 years in state prison or 2½ years in house of correction

Creates new criminal offense for caregivers who fail to report a missing child within 5 days, when done to mislead officials or impede investigation, with the same penalties of up to 10 years in state prison or 2½ years in house of correction

Defines "child" as any person under 14 years of age and "person having care and custody" to include parents, guardians, institutional employees, or anyone with temporary or permanent supervision of a child

Increases penalties under existing Section 13J (wanton or reckless behavior creating risk of serious injury to a child) from 2½ years in house of correction to 10 years in state prison

Further increases aggravated penalties under Section 13J from 5 years to 15 years, and changes venue from jail/house of correction to state prison for 10 years