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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, Second Regular Session
neglected children; definition
Purpose
Modifies the definition of neglect for statutes governing child safety.
Background
Neglect or neglected means: 1) the inability or unwillingness of a parent, guardian or custodian of a child to provide that child with supervision, food, clothing, shelter or medical care if that inability or unwillingness causes unreasonable risk of harm to the child’s health or welfare, except if the inability of a parent, guardian or custodian to provide the services to meet the needs of a child with a disability or chronic illness is solely the result of the unavailability of reasonable services; 2) allowing a child to enter or remain in any structure or vehicle in which volatile, toxic or flammable chemicals are found or equipment is possessed by any person for the purposes of manufacturing a dangerous drug; 3) prenatal exposure to specified drugs or substances as determined by a health professional; 4) diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome as determined by a health professional; and 5) deliberate exposure of the child to sexual conduct (A.R.S. § 8-201).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Modifies the definition of neglect to mean the inability or unwillingness of a parent or guardian to provide a child with specified necessities that causes a substantial risk, rather than an unreasonable risk, to the child's health or welfare.
2. Specifies that chemicals and equipment that may be used to manufacture a dangerous drug must be possessed by a person with the intent to manufacture the dangerous drug in order to be considered neglect, if a child is exposed to such chemicals or equipment.
3. Makes technical changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 25, 2022
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