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 a "neglected child," which includes various circumstances such as abuse, substantial risk of serious harm, abandonment, and exposure to domestic violence, among others. Additionally, it establishes a new definition for "abandoned" children, specifying conditions under which a child may be considered abandoned, including a lack of reasonable efforts by a parent to maintain a relationship with the child.

Furthermore, the bill amends Title 1 of the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Act of 1977 to clarify that a parent's eligibility for or use of public benefits cannot be the sole evidence of neglect, nor can homelessness or lack of stable housing be used as the sole basis for substantiating neglect. These changes aim to ensure that assessments of neglect are more comprehensive and take into account the broader context of a family's situation, rather than relying solely on financial status or housing stability.