Panel Passes Missing Child Bill

HARTFORD (AP) — A bill that would establish a penalty for Connecticut parents and guardians who fail to report the disappearance of a child has passed its first round of votes in the General Assembly.

Members of the Judiciary Committee voted 42-0 in favor of the bill Monday. It now awaits action in the state’s House of Representatives.

The proposal would allow authorities to charge guardians who wait longer than 24 hours to report any child under the age of 12 missing with a misdemeanor criminal offense.

The legislation comes as a response to the 2008 death of Florida toddler Caylee Anthony, who was not reported missing for 31 days.