House committee advances bill tightening neglect standard, adds police-DCF referral line and delays effective date to Jan. 1, 2026

A House committee on Tuesday advanced House Bill 2132 after adopting multiple amendments that change the statutory definition of neglect, revise police protective-custody rules and require DCF to provide a dedicated electronic referral mechanism for law enforcement.

Madam Chair of the committee said she had spent days negotiating with stakeholders and introduced three amendments that the committee adopted. The changes replace the bill's original language using "imminent" or "likelihood of harm" with a standard described in the bill and amendments as "presenting a substantial risk of serious harm." The committee also adopted language that makes certain statutory actions prospective and requires DCF to update and submit policies before the law takes effect.

The bill matters because it alters when a child may be removed from their home, what facts may be used in court petitions, and how law enforcement coordinates with child-welfare workers. Proponents said changes were made in response to concerns from district attorneys, law enforcement and DCF about enforceability and implementation timelines.

The committee's adopted changes included:

- Neglect definition: Replacing references to "imminent" or "likelihood of harm" with "presenting a substantial risk of serious harm," and adding a separate subsection that makes clear the cumulative effects of a pattern of conduct, behavior or inaction by a…