The Statutory Neglect Amendment Act of 2025 aims to amend Chapter 23 of Title 16 of the District of Columbia Official Code to consolidate and update the definition of neglect concerning children. The bill introduces a new definition of "neglected child," which includes various circumstances such as abuse, substantial risk of serious harm, abandonment, and failure of guardians to provide adequate care. Additionally, it clarifies that a child's homelessness or lack of stable housing cannot be used as the sole evidence of neglect, and it establishes that a parent's eligibility for public benefits cannot be the only basis for determining that parental failure is unrelated to neglect.

Furthermore, the bill adds a new definition for "abandoned" and modifies existing definitions related to abuse and neglect. It removes a previous paragraph from the law and emphasizes that the Child and Family Services Agency must consider a range of factors before concluding neglect, ensuring that financial means are not the sole determinant of a parent's ability to care for their child. The bill is set to take effect following the Mayor's approval and a congressional review period.