The proposed bill would amend current statutes regarding child neglect by explicitly prohibiting the inability of a parent, guardian, or custodian to provide a child with supervision, clothing, food, shelter, or medical care solely due to a lack of financial resources from being classified as neglect. This change would be reflected in the definition of neglect, which currently includes the inability or unwillingness to provide necessary care if it causes substantial risk of serious harm to the child's health or welfare. The bill would modify this definition to ensure that financial constraints are not considered neglectful behavior.

Additionally, the bill would remove existing exceptions related to the inability to provide care for children with disabilities or chronic illnesses when such inability is due to a lack of reasonable services. It would also make technical changes to the language of the statutes. Overall, the bill aims to clarify and protect parents from being charged with neglect when financial limitations are the sole reason for their inability to provide for their children.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 8-201
Senate Engrossed Version: 8-201, 8-201.01, 13-1404, 13-1405, 13-1406, 13-1410, 13-3552, 13-3553, 13-3608, 13-3212, 13-3401, 8-327, 13-501, 13-3903, 13-4261, 13-3623, 13-3601, 13-1417, 8-455, 13-706, 32-3201, 15-803, 13-3620, 13-3551, 13-1401, 13-1411, 13-3507, 8-521.02, 8-456, 8-471