What's happening
This bill makes it a class E felony to knowingly spread false information about a missing child that leads to public funds being used.
Why it matters
Targets intentional hoaxes. The bill specifically criminalizes knowingly spreading false information about a missing child, meaning it aims to deter deliberate hoaxes rather than accidental mistakes or misunderstandings.
Protects public resources. By making it a felony when false information leads to the use of public funds (e.g., police searches, emergency services), the bill seeks to prevent waste of taxpayer money and ensure these resources are available for real emergencies.
Raises the stakes for false reports. Classifying this conduct as a class E felony (the lowest felony level in New York, but still serious) adds significant legal consequences, potentially discouraging individuals from making or circulating false reports and reducing the emotional harm to families and communities.
Aligns with existing child protection laws. The bill references the legal definition of a "missing child," ensuring it fits into established frameworks and avoids ambiguity about what situations the law covers.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Criminalize Fake Missing Child Reports
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to codes
- Referred to codes
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Felony for Fake Missing Child
In Senate Committee · Codes · Sponsor Andrew J. Lanza
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3857
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 31, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. MAGNARELLI -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to dissemination of false information about a missing child
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The penal law is amended by adding a new section 240.49 to read as follows: § 240.49 Dissemination of false missing child information.
A person is guilty of dissemination of false missing child information when, knowing the information he or she reported, conveyed, circulated or disseminated is false or baseless, he or she states or reports, by any means, that a child is a missing child as defined in subdivision one of section eight hundred thirty-seven-e of the executive law, and as a result of such report, conveyance, circulation or dissemination, public funds were expended to investigate and/or locate the purported missing child.
Dissemination of false missing child information is a class E felony.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03256-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.