SB65 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsors

J.T. WaggonerRusty GloverArthur OrrGreg J. ReedDick BrewbakerBryan Taylor

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Children, failure to report a missing child in the first degree, second degree, and in the third degree, failure to report the death of a child, false reporting to law enforcement authorities, crimes of established, Caylee's Law, Sec. 13A-10-9 am'd.

Summary

SB65 creates Caylee's Law in Alabama, making certain failures to report missing or dead children by parents or guardians of children 12 and younger, and certain false reports to police, crimes with escalating penalties.

What This Bill Does

It creates crimes for failing to report a missing child in three degrees (first degree, second degree, and third degree) with penalties Class B felony, Class C felony, and Class A misdemeanor respectively. It also makes failing to report the death of a child a Class C felony. It adds a first-degree false reporting crime to law enforcement (Class C felony) and redefines second-degree false reporting under existing law as Class A misdemeanor. It notes the bill is exempt from local funding requirements and becomes effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor.

Who It Affects

• Parents or guardians of children 12 years old or younger, who could be charged if they fail to report a missing child promptly or fail to report a child’s death.
• Law enforcement agencies and prosecutors, who would investigate and prosecute these offenses.

Key Provisions

• First-degree failure to report a missing child (within 12 hours) for a child 12 or younger; Class B felony if the child suffers great bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement while missing.
• Second-degree failure to report a missing child (within 24 hours) for a child 12 or younger; Class C felony.
• Third-degree failure to report a missing child (within 12 hours) for a child 12 or younger; Class A misdemeanor.
• Failure to report the death of a child (within one hour of learning of death or corpse location) for a child 12 or younger; Class C felony.
• False reporting to law enforcement authorities in the first degree (knowingly giving false information to mislead or impede investigations); Class C felony.
• Amends 13A-10-9 to designate false reporting to law enforcement authorities in the second degree as Class A misdemeanor.
• The bill is exempt from local funding requirements because it creates or amends crimes, and it becomes effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses