Louisiana § RS 14:403.3 - Reports of missing children; procedures; false reports or communications; penalties
Full text of Louisiana Louisiana Civil Code § RS 14:403.3 — Reports of missing children; procedures; false reports or communications; penalties, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ RS 14:403.3. Reports of missing children; procedures; false reports or communications; penalties
A.(1) Any state or local law enforcement agency receiving a report of a missing child or the recovery of a missing child and having reasonable grounds to believe the report is accurate shall do all of the following immediately after receiving the report:
(a) Enter the name of the child into the National Crime Information Center's database.
(b) Notify each of the following of the facts and contents of the report:
(i) The Department of Children and Family Services to the extent that the reporting is required pursuant to Chapter 5 of Title VI of the Children's Code.
(ii) The office of state police, if it did not originally receive the report.
(iii) The office of the sheriff for the parish in which the report was received, if it did not originally receive the report.
(iv) Any other local, state, or federal law enforcement agency that the law enforcement agency receiving the report deems necessary and appropriate depending upon the facts of each case.
(2) The law enforcement agency may also notify any other appropriate local, state, or federal agency of the fact and contents of the report.
B. No person shall knowingly file a false missing child report with a law enforcement agency.
C. No person shall intentionally communicate false information concerning a missing child, or the recovery of a missing child, to a law enforcement agency when such information is communicated with the specific intent to delay or otherwise hinder an investigation to locate the child.
D. Whoever violates the provisions of Subsection B of this Section shall be fined not more than two thousand dollars or be imprisoned for not more than one year, with or without hard labor, or both.
E. Whoever violates the provisions of Subsection C of this Section shall be imprisoned at hard labor for not more than five years.
Acts 1985, No. 393, §1; Acts 2005, No. 503, §1; Acts 2012, No. 446, §1; Acts 2012, No. 454, §1; Acts 2012, No. 477, §1, eff. June 3, 2012; Acts 2020, No. 96, §1.
Source: official Louisiana text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana § RS 14:403.3
What does Louisiana Civil Code § RS 14:403.3 cover?
Section RS 14:403.3 ("Reports of missing children; procedures; false reports or communications; penalties") is part of the Louisiana Civil Code, the codified statutory law of Louisiana. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Louisiana § RS 14:403.3?
A common citation format is "Louisiana Civil Code § RS 14:403.3" (Louisiana). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Louisiana law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Louisiana official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Louisiana attorney.
How does Louisiana § RS 14:403.3 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Louisiana can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Louisiana.