Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr., R-Westfield, introduced legislation to the New Jersey Senate on Wednesday that makes it a crime not to report the death or disappearance of a child.

The proposed legislation comes a week after the Florida acquittal of Casey Anthony on charges that she murdered her toddler, Caylee, whose disappearance and death went unreported for a month.

“It is actually with a bit of reluctance that I submit this legislation, as government really should not have to legislate where common sense should prevail,” said Kean of the bill named in honor of Caylee. “But common sense dictates that a parent or guardian who does not to report the disappearance or death of a child in their care should be considered criminally negligent.”

If passed, Caylee’s Law would make it a second-degree crime for a parent, guardian or caregiver not to report a child that has gone missing, or has died, within 24 hours, according to Adam Bauer, Kean's communication's director.

“Equally important, this bill would impose new penalties on anyone who endangers the welfare of a child by failing to report that child’s death or disappearance or who conceals such death or disappearance. There is no excuse for not cooperating with law enforcement when it comes to a potentially harmed, missing or worse, a deceased child, and this bill ensures that penalties exist for those who knowingly stand in the way of justice.”

On Monday, Senator Sen. Nicholas J. Sacco, D-North Bergen,  introduced another "Caylee's Law" bill that also seeks to legally require parents to report missing children within 24 hours of their disappearance.

As to which bill will get read first, it's hard to say — "it's a bit of a jump ball," Bauer said.