State Laws on Issues Related to Child Abuse and Neglect

Many States have enacted laws that focus on situations that may put children at particular risk of harm, such as parental substance abuse or infant abandonment.

State Statutes Series

Definitions of Domestic Violence
Series Title State Statutes
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability View
Download (PDF - 399KB)
Year Published 2021
Provides an overview of both civil and criminal definitions of domestic violence. The definition often varies depending on the context in which the term is used. Statutory definitions across the States generally describe specific conduct or acts that are subject to civil and criminal actions, and the specific language used may vary depending on whether the definition is found in the civil or criminal sections of the State's code.
Infant Safe Haven Laws
Series Title State Statutes
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability View
Download (PDF - 1,208KB)
Year Published 2017
Discusses State laws that provide safe places for parents to relinquish newborn infants. The purpose of these laws is to prevent these babies from being abandoned at places where they may come to harm. The responsibilities of and immunity from liability for providers who accept the infants, legal protections from prosecution for the parents, and the effect of relinquishment on parental rights also are discussed. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.
Parental Substance Use as Child Abuse
Series Title State Statutes
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability View
Download (PDF - 540KB)
Year Published 2020
Discusses laws and policies that address the issue of substance use by parents. One major area of concern is responding to the care and treatment needs of substance-exposed infants. Another major concern is addressing the harm that a child of any age can suffer when a parent's use of alcohol or other substances leads to neglect of the child or the child is exposed to illegal drug activity. Full-text excerpts of laws for all States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories are included.

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Related resources

Infant Abandonment
Guttmacher Institute (2012)
Lists State provisions for the safe relinquishment of infants.

Statutes of Limitation for Prosecution of Offenses Against Children (PDF - 461 KB)
National Center for the Prosecution of Child Abuse (2012)
Includes State statutes that extend or eliminate time limitations for charging criminal offenses related to child victims.

Substance-Exposed Newborns: New Federal Law Raises Some Old Issues (PDF - 115 KB)
National Conference of State Legislatures, Children's Policy Initiative (2004)
Describes provisions of the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003 requiring States to address the needs of children who are affected by prenatal exposure to illegal drugs. Provides an overview of State reporting laws at the time, discusses the role of child protective services, and highlights the importance of prevention.

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