Assigned to HHS FOR
COMMITTEE
Assigned to HHS FOR
COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Third Legislature, Second Regular Session
central
registry; unsubstantiated claims
(NOW: neglected child; definition)
Purpose
Redefines neglect for child welfare purposes.
Background
Current statute defines neglect as: 1) the inability or unwillingness of a parent, guardian or custodian to provide the child with supervision, food, clothing, shelter or medical care if the inability or unwillingness causes unreasonable risk of harm to the child's health or welfare; 2) permitting a child to enter or remain in any structure or vehicle in which volatile, toxic or flammable chemicals are found or equipment is possessed for the purposes of manufacturing a dangerous drug; 3) a determination by a health professional that a newborn infant was exposed prenatally to a drug that was not administered by a health professional; 4) diagnosis by a health professional of an infant under one-year-old with clinical findings consistent with fetal alcohol syndrome or effects; and 5) deliberate exposure by a parent, guardian or custodian to sexual conduct, contact or materials (A.R.S. § 8-201).
Laws 2009, Chapter 126 made various changes to the definition of neglect and expanded the circumstances that are considered neglect. Additionally, it changed the standard of harm from substantial risk to unreasonable risk.
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Redefines neglect to include the inability or unwillingness of a parent, guardian or custodian to provide the child with various needs if the inability or unwillingness causes substantial, rather than unreasonable, risk of harm to the child's health or welfare.
2. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
JPS W/D
APPROP 2/19/18 DPA/SE 10-2-0-1
3rd Read 2/21/18 35-25-0
Prepared by Senate Research
March 16, 2018
CRS/JN/lat