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Committee advances bill clarifying children’s ordinary independence is not neglect
Summary
The Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to advance House Bill 10‑35, which would clarify that age‑appropriate independent activity (walking, biking, brief periods alone, outdoor play) by children is not, by itself, evidence of neglect unless it amounts to recklessness that endangers safety.
House Bill 10‑35, introduced by Representative Teschka, cleared the Judiciary Committee on a 10–0 vote after a day of testimony that included educators, family‑policy advocates and defense counsel.
Representative Teschka told the committee the bill aims to replace a vague supervision standard with a clearer recklessness/danger test so parents can reasonably know when state intervention is warranted. “The standard should always be danger, not disapproval,” Teschka said,…
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