Crimes.

Existing law makes it a crime for a parent or guardian of a minor child to willfully omit, without lawful excuse, clothing, food, shelter, or medical care for the child. Existing law also makes it a crime for a parent or guardian to desert a child under 14 years of age with the intent to abandon that child. This bill would require a parent or guardian of a child under 14 years of age who knows or should have known that the child has died to notify a public safety agency, as defined, within 24 hours of the time that the parent or guardian knew or should have known that the child has died, and to notify law enforcement within 24 hours of the time that a parent or guardian knows or should have known that the child is a missing person and that there is evidence that the child is a person at risk, except as specified. The bill would make a violation of those provisions a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year, or by a fine not exceeding $1,000, or by both that fine and imprisonment. The bill would also provide that these provisions shall not preclude prosecution under any other provision of law. By creating a new crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.