Arizona lawmakers announced on Apr. 13 the enactment of Cade’s Law, a new measure aimed at holding adults accountable if they use direct communication to encourage or advise minors to die by suicide. The law is named after Cade Keller, a 16-year-old from Arizona who died by suicide after posting his intentions online.
Teen suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among young people, and officials say social media has introduced new ways for vulnerable youth to be targeted. Supporters of the legislation argue that previous laws only addressed those who provided physical means for suicide but did not cover situations where adults use words through posts, messages, or other directed content aimed at specific minors.
Cade’s Law closes this gap by making it clear that an adult can be charged with manslaughter if they knowingly communicate directly with a minor and encourage them toward suicide. The law covers any communication specifically addressed to or reasonably understood as directed at the minor, including posts that identify or tag them.
“Teen suicide is a crisis, and we cannot ignore it,” said Representative Pamela Carter. “Cade Keller was only 16. He loved welding and had plans to attend Mesa Community College. Then his life was cut short. Cade posted online that he planned to take his life. People saw it. No one called 911. No one got an adult. Cade died. That is the nightmare every parent fears, and it is happening to too many families. Cade’s Law makes this a crime. If you knowingly use direct messages to advise or encourage a minor to die by suicide, you will be prosecuted. If you see warning signs, do not wait. Make the call. Get help. Step in.”
Representative Carter also expressed gratitude toward the Keller family for their advocacy and urged parents, students, educators, and community members to respond immediately when warning signs appear.
Carbone, a Republican elected in 2023 as state representative for Arizona’s 25th House District replacing Michelle Udall according to Ballotpedia, serves during this legislative period.
