Bill > HB570

This bill modifies Missouri's legal definitions and provisions related to child abuse and neglect, making several key changes. The bill updates definitions of "abuse" and "neglect" to explicitly clarify that certain independent activities by children, such as walking or bicycling to school alone or playing outdoors without direct adult supervision, do not automatically constitute neglect, provided these activities are age-appropriate and do not pose a significant safety risk. The bill also updates references to federal trafficking definitions and adjusts criminal penalties for child abuse and neglect, maintaining harsh sentencing for serious cases involving significant physical or emotional injury, especially when the victim is under 14 years old or the abuse involves sexual components. The legislation expands the understanding of who can be responsible for a child's care, including school personnel, and refines the legal standards for determining what constitutes abuse, such as clarifying that reasonable disciplinary actions like spanking do not meet the legal definition of abuse. The bill aims to provide clearer guidelines for assessing child welfare situations while maintaining strong protections for children from genuine abuse and neglect.

Health and Social Services

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB570&year=2025&code=R