Simmons’ ‘Caylee’s Law’ Legislation Heads to Senate After House Approval
HARRISBURG – Legislation that would increase the penalties for the crime of concealing the death of a child, sponsored by Rep. Justin Simmons (R-Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton), today was approved by the House of Representatives.
House Bill 424 will next be considered by the Senate.
“This legislation would help to discourage the kind of tragic behavior that took place in Florida during the disappearance of Caylee Anthony back in 2008,” said Simmons. “Casey Anthony waited almost a month before reporting that her daughter was missing. Many of us heard from our constituents who were angered by Ms. Anthony’s concealment of the child’s death and asked us to strengthen the law here in Pennsylvania.”
Simmons’ legislation would upgrade the offense of concealing the death of a child from a first-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony and increase the maximum penalties to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
The measure also would clarify that those who can be charged with this offense are a parent, an individual living in the same household as the child, or an individual responsible for the child’s welfare. A “parent” is defined as a natural parent, stepparent, adoptive parent, guardian or paramour of the child’s parent.
Simmons introduced similar legislation during the last two sessions, which passed in the House each time but failed to come up for a vote in the Senate.
For more information on Simmons and his legislative priorities, visit
RepSimmons.com or
Facebook.com/RepSimmons.
Representative Justin Simmons
131st District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Andy Briggs
717.260.6474
abriggs@pahousegop.com