The proposed bill, if enacted, would amend the current definition of "neglect" in child welfare statutes. Under current law, neglect includes the inability or unwillingness of a parent, guardian, or custodian to provide necessary supervision, food, clothing, shelter, or medical care to a child, which risks harm to the child's health or welfare. The bill would introduce new language that specifically prohibits considering a parent's inability to provide these necessities solely due to a lack of available financial resources as neglect. Additionally, the bill would modify the definition of neglect to state that the inability or unwillingness to provide for a child must cause a substantial risk of serious harm to the child's health or welfare, rather than just any risk of harm. The bill also includes technical changes to streamline the language used in the statutes. Overall, these changes aim to clarify the circumstances under which a parent may be deemed neglectful, particularly in relation to financial constraints.

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