A parent’s failure to report the death or disappearance of a child would become a felony under a bill before the state Legislature.

The Senate Human Services committee today will be taking up the bill which holds parents and guardians responsible for reporting missing children in a timely matter.

The bill would also make it a felony to provide false information to law enforcement authorities who are investigating a missing child case.

The committee will also be hearing a bill that changes the reporting requirements for doctors who treat children who appear to be victims of abuse or neglect. The law currently requires physicians to file reports if they have reason to believe children are at risk.

The bill would require doctors to notify authorities when there’s reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect.