Committee holds first hearing on "Joshua Alert" bill to speed statewide notices for missing children with developmental disabilities

Representative Thomas, the bill's sponsor, told the committee that House Bill 359 — the "Joshua Alert" — is intended to ensure a faster, more uniform public notification when children with autism or other developmental disabilities go missing. "This legislation is not about blame," Thomas said, describing the 11/20/2024 disappearance of 6‑year‑old Joshua Alatif Jr., a nonverbal child with autism who was found drowned hours after going missing.

The bill would add a new activation category to Ohio's statewide emergency alert program. Under the proposal, local law enforcement would be required to notify the statewide alert system when: (1) a child 17 or younger who has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or another developmental disability is reported missing; and (2) the case meets specified activation criteria, including a credible threat and sufficient descriptive information. Sponsor testimony emphasized that the proposal would use existing alert infrastructure and would not require new technology or systems.

Thomas said the first community‑wide cell phone notification in Joshua's case did not go out until more than five hours after his family reported him missing; he added that the petition supporting the bill has "over 16,000 signatures." He framed the bill as a practical, implementable change intended to close a gap in the current process and to mobilize public eyes promptly: "Minutes matter," he said.

Joint sponsor Representative Gross described the bill as an effort to prevent similar tragedies and urged the committee's support. Committee members questioned operational details. Representative Click asked whether the bill's use of the word "immediately" should be defined, noting that dispatch and verification procedures vary; Thomas answered that alerts should issue "within moments after they get the call" once identifying information is verified, but agreed the language could be clarified after conversations with dispatch and law enforcement.

Representative Richardson asked how many children in Ohio are on the autism spectrum and whether the bill's scope might increase demand; Thomas said the bill targets children and that exact statewide counts were not provided during the hearing. Chair White asked sponsors to consult with dispatchers and law enforcement about activation language and verification procedures and indicated the committee would accept proponent testimony next week.

Because the hearing was introductory, there was no committee vote. Sponsors said they would refine activation criteria language and return with additional proponent testimony and technical edits.