The bill amends sections 39.01 and 827.03 of the Florida Statutes to revise the definitions of "harm" and "neglect of a child" in relation to child protection and criminal child abuse and neglect provisions. Key changes include the introduction of the term "necessary" supervision, which emphasizes that caregivers must provide appropriate supervision based on a child's age and condition. The bill clarifies that leaving a child without necessary supervision is considered harmful if it subjects the child to obvious danger that the caregiver should have recognized. Additionally, it specifies that caregivers are not restricted from allowing children of sufficient maturity to engage in independent activities, provided such activities do not constitute gross negligence that endangers the child's health or safety.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the definition of "neglect" to include a caregiver's willful failure to provide necessary care and supervision, while also allowing for independent unsupervised activities unless they pose a risk to the child's safety. The amendments aim to balance the need for child safety with the recognition of children's rights to engage in age-appropriate independent activities. The bill also reenacts certain definitions related to child abuse and neglect to ensure consistency across various statutes. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 1191 Filed: 827.03