Bill > HB655

This bill, titled "Create the offense of neglect of parental duties," proposes to amend an existing Ohio law (section 2919.24 of the Revised Code) to establish a new criminal offense. The changes introduce new categories of parental neglect, specifically addressing situations where a parent, guardian, or custodian knowingly fails to take reasonable steps to prevent further unruly or delinquent conduct by a child who has already been adjudicated as such, or recklessly fails to ensure the child avoids becoming an habitual truant or comply with court orders. The bill also clarifies existing provisions related to contributing to a child's unruliness or delinquency and adds requirements for offenders to complete parenting classes, with repeat offenses for neglect of parental duties potentially escalating to a felony. The term "delinquent child" and "unruly child" are defined by referencing other sections of Ohio law, generally referring to children who commit offenses or exhibit behaviors that bring them under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court.

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https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb655