If enacted, this bill would amend the current statute regarding child neglect as defined in section 8-201 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. The existing law states that a parent, guardian, or custodian's inability or unwillingness to provide necessary care for a child constitutes neglect if it poses a substantial risk of harm to the child's health or welfare. The bill introduces specific exceptions to this definition, clarifying that a lack of financial resources alone does not constitute neglect.

The bill would insert language specifying that a parent, guardian, or custodian cannot be deemed neglectful if their inability to provide for a child is solely due to financial constraints. Additionally, it maintains the existing provision that addresses the inability to provide for a child with a disability or chronic illness when it results from the unavailability of reasonable services. Overall, the bill aims to protect parents from being labeled as neglectful solely based on their financial situation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 8-201