Substitute Bill No. 806 Summary

• Amends Connecticut General Statutes section 46b-120(4) to redefine the criteria for finding a child neglected, effective July 1, 2019

• Excludes poverty as a basis for a neglect finding and maintains three categories of neglect: abandonment, denial of proper care and attention (physical, educational, emotional, or moral), and permitting harmful living conditions or unsupervised activities

• Adds protection for parents or guardians who allow unsupervised independent activities based on a reasonable belief that the child has sufficient maturity, physical condition, or mental ability to avoid substantial harm

• Clarifies language by replacing "conduct that carries" with "any such activity that poses" for improved clarity in describing activities that pose substantial risk of harm