IL HB4305

Lowers the minimum age at which a child may be left unsupervised without parental liability for child neglect from 14 years to 12 years under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

Lowers the minimum age for child abandonment liability from 13 years to 12 years under the Criminal Code of 2012, defined as leaving a child under 12 without supervision by a responsible person over 14 for 24 hours or more.

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

Establishes 15 specific factors for courts to consider when determining whether a child was left without proper regard for health, safety, and welfare, including the child's age, duration of unsupervised time, weather conditions, and whether economic hardship or illness contributed to the situation.

Changes apply to cases pending on or after the effective date of the law.