Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs signed “Cade’s Law: If you See Something, Say Something,” which aims to hold accountable adults who use social media or texts to push a child to take their own life.
The law now gives prosecutors clear authority to charge adults who use targeted online messages to encourage a minor to commit suicide. Republican Rep. Pamela Carter was the bill’s sponsor. In a statement, she said Cade’s Law closes a dangerous loophole by extending accountability to an adult who uses words through direct messages, texts or social media posts aimed at a specific minor.
The law was inspired by 16-year-old Cade Keller who posted online that he planned to take his life before doing so in 2022.
However, the bill would apply only to an adult communicating with a minor.
But in a case like Cade’s, a group hearing a friend’s intention to commit suicide and not reporting it isn’t covered by the bill. And if all the people involved are also under 18, any advice or encouragement to commit suicide wouldn’t meet the requirement to bring manslaughter charges.
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