IL HB2334

Lowers the age threshold for child neglect from 14 to 12 years old when a parent leaves a minor without supervision for an unreasonable period of time without regard for the child's health, safety, or welfare.

Adds new subsection (1.5) establishing that neglect does not include permitting a child of sufficient age and maturity with basic needs met to engage in independent activities such as traveling to school, outdoor play, remaining in a vehicle unattended, or remaining home unattended.

Lowers the age threshold for the criminal offense of child abandonment from 13 to 12 years old, defining it as knowingly leaving a child under 12 without supervision by a responsible person over 14 for 24 hours or more.

Maintains detailed factors for courts to consider when determining whether a child was left without regard for health, safety, or welfare, including the child's age, special needs, duration of time unsupervised, location conditions, weather, parent location, and whether economic hardship or illness contributed to the situation.