The proposed bill, if enacted, would amend current statutes regarding child neglect by explicitly stating that a parent, guardian, or custodian cannot be deemed to have neglected a child solely due to an inability to provide necessary supervision, food, clothing, shelter, or medical care if this inability is a result of a lack of financial resources. This change would be inserted into the existing definition of neglect, which currently includes the inability or unwillingness to provide for a child's needs, but does not account for financial constraints as a valid reason for such inability.

Additionally, the bill would modify the language surrounding the definitions of neglect to clarify that the inability to provide for a child due to financial reasons is a legitimate exception. It would also remove certain phrases that imply a broader interpretation of neglect, thereby narrowing the focus to situations where financial resources are the determining factor. Overall, these updates aim to protect parents facing financial hardships from being classified as neglectful in the eyes of the law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 8-201