The Statutory Neglect Amendment Act of 2025 modifies definitions and criteria for child neglect and abandonment in the District of Columbia.

The Statutory Neglect Amendment Act of 2025 amends the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Act of 1977. It changes the definition of "abuse" to exclude reasonable physical discipline of children aged three and older. It also redefines "abandoned" to include children whose parents have not maintained contact for four months or whose parents did not seek contact after a hospital stay. The Act prohibits the Agency from using a parent's eligibility for public benefits or homelessness as the sole basis for substantiating neglect.

The Statutory Neglect Amendment Act of 2025 modifies definitions and criteria for child neglect and abandonment in the District of Columbia.

The Statutory Neglect Amendment Act of 2025 amends the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Act of 1977. It changes the definition of "abuse" to exclude reasonable physical discipline of children aged three and older. It also redefines "abandoned" to include children whose parents have not maintained contact for four months or whose parents did not seek contact after a hospital stay. The Act prohibits the Agency from using a parent's eligibility for public benefits or homelessness as the sole basis for substantiating neglect.