SB1476

THE CONTEXT: Statute defines neglect to mean any of the following: 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; 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 with the intent and for the purpose of manufacturing a dangerous drug; 3) a determination by a health professional that a newborn infant was exposed prenatally to a drug or substance; 4) diagnosis by a health professional of an infant un...

WHAT THE BILL DID: of manufacturing a dangerous drug; 3) a determination by a health professional that a newborn infant was exposed prenatally to a drug or substance; 4) diagnosis by a health professional of an infant under one year of age with clinical findings consistent with fetal alcohol syndrome or fetal alcohol effects; or 5) deliberate exposure of a child by a parent, guardian or custodian to sexual conduct ( A. R.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to give patients a defined set of rights and a clear informed-consent standard. It would establish that a person commits child neglect if she, while having custody of a child, engages in conduct that harms the child and a determination is made by a health professional that either: a. the child was exposed prenatally to a drug or substance; or b. there are clinical findings consistent with fetal alcohol syndrome or fetal alcohol effects, and would also classifies child neglect as a class 6 felony, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.