PROVIDED SUMMARY
Child Welfare; Revises definition of term "harm" to provide that exposure of child to controlled substance may be established by evidence of acute or chronic use of controlled substance by parent to specified extent; revises definition of term "neglect" to provide that neglect occurs when there is evidence of acute or chronic use of controlled substance by parent to specified extent.
Full bill text →
Plain English Summary
AI-GENERATED
Parent drug use now defines child neglect and harm.
The bill adds a new legal definition of neglect based on a parent's drug use. It does not require the child to be currently injured. The law now focuses on the future risk of parental intoxication.
It also updates the definition of harm to include evidence of a parent's drug use. This allows child welfare agencies to intervene earlier in cases involving substance abuse.
The bill removes the specific list of medical and spiritual treatment options from the neglect statute. This change simplifies the legal text but does not alter the core definition of neglect.
KEY PROVISIONS
AICreates a new legal basis for child welfare intervention based on a parent's substance use.
“Evidence of acute or chronic use of a controlled substance by a parent to the extent that the ongoing threat of the parent's future intoxication compromises the parent's ability to”
bill text, line 5 →
AIEstablishes that a parent's substance use constitutes neglect if it endangers the child's safety.
“There is evidence of acute or chronic use of a controlled substance by a parent to the extent that the ongoing threat of the parent's future intoxication results in an environment”
bill text, line 8 →
AIEliminates the statutory exception that allowed courts to order spiritual healing in place of medical treatment.
“Treatment by a duly accredited practitioner who relies solely on spiritual means for healing in accordance with the tenets and practices of a well-recognized church or religious”
bill text, line 79 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died in Health & Human Services Committee
2/12/2026
Now in Health & Human Services Committee
2/12/2026
Referred to Judiciary Committee
2/12/2026
Referred to Health & Human Services Committee
2/11/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
2/11/2026
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
2/11/2026
Reported out of Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
2/11/2026
Favorable with CS by Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
2/9/2026
PCS added to Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee agenda
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
1/12/2026
Now in Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
1/12/2026
Referred to Judiciary Committee
1/12/2026
Referred to Human Services Subcommittee
1/12/2026
Referred to Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
10 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
STAFF ANALYSES