Rep. Thomas Announces Unanimous Senate Passage of Joshua Alert Legislation

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Cecil Thomas (D-Cincinnati) today announced that House Bill (HB) 359, The Joshua Alert, passed the Ohio Senate unanimously and now heads to Governor Mike DeWine's desk for signature.

HB 359 establishes a statewide emergency alert system designed to help law enforcement quickly locate missing children with autism and developmental disabilities. The bill is named in honor of Joshua Al-Lateef Jr., a 6-year-old West Chester boy with autism who tragically drowned in November 2024. The Joshua Alert will provide law enforcement with an additional tool to rapidly notify the public when a vulnerable child goes missing, helping mobilize communities during the critical first hours of a disappearance.

“It’s going to open the door for an almost immediate response from law enforcement,” said Rep. Thomas in a recent interview.

Rep. Thomas introduced the legislation alongside State Rep. Jennifer Gross (R-West Chester) and worked closely with Joshua's mother, Jonisa Cook, whose advocacy helped bring attention to the need for a specialized alert system.

Under current law, many missing children with autism and developmental disabilities do not qualify for an Amber Alert, limiting the ability of law enforcement to quickly disseminate information to the public. The Joshua Alert seeks to close that gap and provide families with another layer of protection when a child goes missing.

“That information would go out right away, put a significant amount of additional eyes out, being able to possibly spot the child and possibly save that child’s life,” Rep. Thomas said.

The legislation received unanimous support in both chambers of the Ohio General Assembly.

HB 359 now awaits Governor DeWine’s signature before becoming law.