The Overview
If you have a child with autism or a developmental disability, Ohio now has a dedicated emergency alert system to help find them if they go missing. The Joshua Alert Act, Ohio's House Bill 359, became law when Republican Gov. Mike DeWine signed it June 18. Research published in the *American Journal of Psychiatry* found that nearly half of children with autism had gone missing at least once after age four, and that among those who went missing, 24% were at risk of drowning and 65% at risk of traffic injury. The law took effect Sept. 17.
What the Law Does
The law amends Ohio's Revised Code to clarify the statewide emergency alert system for missing children who are autistic or developmentally disabled, and to name the alert the Joshua Alert. The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that the law is named for Joshua Al-Lateef Jr., a 6-year-old from West Chester, while Spectrum News 1 reported that it sets new protocols for missing-child investigations involving developmental disabilities. FOX19 covered the system's rollout after it took effect.
Legislative Status
Democratic State Rep. Cecil Thomas sponsored the bill, with Jennifer Gross as co-lead sponsor and 100 cosponsors, including Munira Abdullahi, Cindy Abrams, Sarah Fowler Arthur, Dontavius Jarrells, and Catherine Ingram, among others.
The House passed the bill Nov. 12, 2025, 95 to 0. The Senate passed it June 3, 31 to 0.
Rep. Thomas said after the signing: "It's going to mean a lot, not only to families but to children with autism around the state. This is a win. Joshua's name will always be remembered as this law is implemented." The Amber Advocate, a child-safety advocacy organization, said the law honors Joshua Al-Lateef Jr.
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