CHILD PROTECTION – Amends existing law to revise the definition of “neglected.”

Idaho bill H 691 amends the legal definition of "neglected" in child protection law to clarify that "chronic neglect" involves abuse or neglect that is "extreme or repetitious" enough to indicate returning a child to the home would pose "unacceptable risk" to their health or welfare. This change directly affects child protective services cases in Idaho courts, providing a clearer standard for determining when neglect is severe enough to justify court intervention or removal of a child from their home. The bill revises Section 16-1602 of the Idaho Code to explicitly define "chronic neglect" within the "aggravated circumstances" section, which impacts how neglect cases are evaluated during legal proceedings. It does not create new programs or funding but refines the legal criteria used by courts and child welfare agencies.