Family Law - Child Neglect Definition - Alteration

HB 834 amends Maryland's definition of child neglect to explicitly include a parent or caregiver's failure to provide a child with education required by law. This change directly affects parents or guardians responsible for a child's schooling, making educational neglect a specific form of neglect under state law. The bill alters Section 5-701(s)(2) of Maryland's Family Law code to state that "neglect" includes "the failure or refusal to provide to a child the education required by law." The updated definition takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies to all children under 18. This is a technical legal change to the existing neglect definition, not a new program or funding measure.