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Sponsor urges passage of "Caitlin's Law" to remove time limit on abuse-of-corpse prosecutions
Summary
Representative Jennifer Gross told the committee HB 459 would remove the statute of limitations on abuse of a corpse and create a third-degree felony for moving or concealing remains to obstruct justice, citing the 2011 death of Caitlin Markham as the inspiration.
Representative Jennifer Gross presented House Bill 459, "Caitlin's Law," asking the House Judiciary Committee to remove the statute of limitations for abuse of a corpse and create a third-degree felony for moving or concealing human remains with intent to obstruct justice.
Gross told the committee the bill responds to the 2011 death of Caitlin Markham in Fairfield and that delays in discovery prevented timely prosecution in that case. "HB 459 closes this gap by removing the statute of limitations for abuse of a corpse," she said, explaining the change is intended to ensure perpetrators can be held accountable regardless of how much time has passed.
The committee recorded the sponsor's testimony and concluded the bill's first hearing; no committee action was taken at this session.
