SB1 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bryan Taylor

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Del MarshScott BeasonPhillip W. WilliamsJimmy HolleyClay ScofieldShadrack McGillGerald H. AllenRusty Glover

Session

Regular Session 2013

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

Summary

SB1, known as Caylee's Law, would make it a crime to fail to report a missing child in Alabama, with tougher penalties if the child is harmed or dies.

What This Bill Does

It requires a child's custodian to report a missing child to law enforcement when the child’s whereabouts are unknown and there is reason to believe the child is missing, abducted, harmed, or is a lost or runaway child. If the custodian fails or delays reporting with willful or reckless disregard for the child’s safety, the offense can be a Class A misdemeanor (second degree) or a Class C felony (first degree) if serious harm or death occurs. A verbal report must be followed by a written report when requested. The bill also defines key terms and sets an effective date, while providing a defense if the custodian shows reasonably diligent efforts to verify the child’s whereabouts during any delay.

Who It Affects

• Custodians of children (parents, legal guardians, and spouses of guardians) who would be required to report missing children and could face criminal charges if they fail or delay reporting.
• Law enforcement and public safety agencies that receive the reports and use the information to locate and protect missing children.

Key Provisions

• Creates two offenses: failure to report a missing child in the second degree (Class A misdemeanor) and in the first degree (Class C felony).
• Defines terms: Abduction, Child (under 18), Custodian, Guardian, Lost Child, Runaway Child.
• Section 3 requires the custodian to report to law enforcement when the child is missing and certain conditions are met (unknown whereabouts, suspected abduction or harm, or lost/runaway).
• Section 3 requires the report to be made verbally (by phone or direct communication) and followed by a written report if requested.
• Section 4 establishes second-degree offense for failing or delaying the report with willful or reckless disregard; Class A misdemeanor.
• Section 5 establishes first-degree offense for failing or delaying the report with willful or reckless disregard resulting in serious bodily harm or death; Class C felony.
• Section 6 provides a defense if the custodian made reasonably diligent efforts to verify the child’s whereabouts during any delay.
• Section 7 states the bill is excluded from local-funding requirements because it defines a new crime or amends an existing one.
• Section 8 sets the bill’s effective date: the first day of the third month after passage.

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