HB 359: Regards emergency Joshua Alert system for certain missing kids - Ohio

As Passed by the Senate → As Enrolled · 2 edits · Jun 18, 2026

MINOR

The bill was finalized and enrolled for signature, converting the draft text into the official enrolled version. The substantive policy content remains consistent, establishing a statewide emergency alert system for missing individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, or who are 65 and older, and officially naming the alert the 'Joshua Alert'.

Scope change

The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; the enrolled version contains the same legal requirements as the Senate-passed draft.

TECHNICAL

The document format was updated from a draft legislative text to the official enrolled bill format, including the removal of draft headers and the addition of signature lines for the Speaker, President, and Governor.

Minor formatting adjustments were made to the text, such as removing line numbers and adjusting paragraph spacing to conform to official state printing standards.

As Passed by the House → As Passed by the Senate · 4 edits · Jun 3, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was amended to clarify the criteria for activating the statewide emergency alert system for missing individuals, specifically adding requirements that the person must be a resident of Ohio, located in an area where their whereabouts are unknown, and unable to return home without help. It also introduces a 24-hour window before law enforcement must notify the state for missing adults, but requires immediate notification for missing children with autism or developmental disabilities. Finally, the bill formally names the alert the 'Joshua Alert' and expands the list of law enforcement agencies included in the definition.

Scope change

The scope of the alert program was narrowed to require that the missing individual be a resident of Ohio and located in a place unknown to those familiar with them, while also adding a specific requirement that they be incapable of returning home without assistance.

ELIGIBILITY

Added specific criteria requiring the missing individual to be an Ohio resident, located at a place unknown to those familiar with them, and unable to return home without assistance.

REQUIREMENT

Modified the notification timeline: law enforcement no longer needs to notify the state for the first 24 hours for most cases, but must notify immediately for missing children under 18 with autism or developmental disabilities.

DEFINITION

Added a formal definition for 'Joshua Alert' to name the specific type of emergency alert issued under the new criteria.

ENFORCEMENT

Expanded the definition of 'law enforcement agency' to include a broader list of entities such as regional transit authorities and metropolitan housing authorities.

As Introduced → As Passed by the House · 6 edits · Nov 12, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was expanded to include many more cosponsors and reorganized for the House passage stage. Substantively, it clarifies that the emergency alert system is only triggered when there is a credible threat of serious harm or death, specifically noting risks for nonverbal individuals. It adds a new requirement that missing children with autism or developmental disabilities must be reported immediately, overriding the general 24-hour delay for other cases. Finally, it officially names the alert the 'Joshua Alert' and repeals the previous version of the statute.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on missing autistic or developmentally disabled children, but the activation criteria were refined to require a credible threat of harm, and the reporting timeline for these specific children was shortened to immediate notification.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a requirement that alerts for missing children under 18 with autism or developmental disabilities must be reported immediately, removing the 24-hour delay allowed for other cases.

REQUIREMENT

Clarified that the statewide alert program will only activate if there is a credible threat of immediate danger of serious bodily harm or death to the missing individual.

Added a provision stating that nothing in this bill prevents local or regional alerts from using different activation criteria.

DEFINITION

Added a specific definition for 'mental impairment' to clarify the criteria for who qualifies for the alert system.

TECHNICAL

Officially named the alert the 'Joshua Alert' in the final section of the bill.

SCOPE

Expanded the list of cosponsors to include numerous additional representatives.

Regards emergency Joshua Alert system for certain missing kids

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