I'm not opposed to this law, but with rampant crime, fetanyl and drug deaths spiking, an 'urban outdoorsmen' population problem, and inflationary costs significantly affecting residents (all due in part to legislation enacted by the Democrat controlled government in recent years) they find the time to tackle this issue.

It's a sad commentary on people's judgement that so many supposed child neglect cases go unsubstantiated after being investigated, and that this bill is even needed.

[Note: hyperlinks found at linked website article.]

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Colorado legislature unanimously OKs 'reasonable independence' for children

By HANNAH METZGER hannah.metzger@coloradopolitics.com Mar 15, 2022 Updated 20 hrs ago

When Brinley Sheffield was 7 years old, she decided she wanted to be a runner. After running around her block several times with her parents to learn the route, Sheffield embarked on her first solo trip with the goal of completing two laps in a row.

The run was going well, until she noticed a strange car following her. After running back to her house, a police officer knocked on her door.

“My first thought was that they found the person who followed me and were going to put them in jail. But then I realized the officer was at our house because of me,” said the now 12-year-old, explaining that the person who followed her had called the police to report child neglect. “I didn’t get in any trouble that day, but for many years after the experience I didn’t want to run around my block."

Instances like this are common in Colorado, said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. In 2019, there were 3,854 reports made to child services for lack of supervision. Of those reports, 3,169 — 82% — were unfounded, she said, citing state data.

The Colorado legislature is trying to tackle this issue with House Bill 1090. If enacted, the bill would change child abuse and neglect laws to clarify that a child is not neglected when allowed to participate in reasonably independent and safe activities. Those include walking to and from school, playing outside or staying home alone.

The state Senate approved the bill Tuesday in a 33-0 vote, following the state House of Representative’s unanimous vote last month. The bill will now be sent to Gov. Jared Polis for final consideration.

Bill sponsors Young and Rep. Kim Ransom, R-Littleton, said they spent their childhoods freely playing outside, riding bikes, exploring their neighborhoods and returning home when the streetlights turned on.

“We’re trying to give greater flexibility to families,” said Young, a former child psychologist and chair of the Weld County child abuse coalition. “When youth are given independence they grow, learn and thrive and we’re pleased to pass legislation that empowers their right to independence.”

The bipartisan bill united both parties, with Republicans and Democrats alike saying children today do not have the same level of independence as previous generations, but should. A nearly identical bill was introduced in 2020, but was abandoned after the COVID-19 pandemic hit, changing legislative priorities. That year, the bill unanimously passed the House.

The share of baseless reports of child abuse and neglect have increased in recent years, Young said. In 2019, there were 2.4 million unsubstantiated investigations of child abuse and neglect in the U.S., compared to 681,772 substantiated investigations, according to an annual National Child Maltreatment report. In Colorado, there were 28,783 unsubstantiated investigations and 13,127 substantiated investigations.

Brinley’s mother, Christa Sheffield, said the unsubstantiated report made against her for letting her daughter run around the block has caused her to “parent out of fear.”

“No one knows my children like I do, and I should be able to decide when they’re capable of independence,” she said. “I was in no way concerned at that time that she would get lost or hurt on her run. What I didn’t realize was that I really needed to be concerned about the judgment of other people.”

For Brinley, the experience was scary and frustrating. But after years of being afraid to be spotted outside alone, she said she is ready to make a change, testifying in support of the bill during the House committee meeting.

“I want to be independent and be able to do things by myself,” Brinley said. “I know I’m capable of doing a lot of things.”

I’m not following this. Does the law say it is ‘not okay’ for a child to play, or be outside alone without it being called neglect? If so, who put that stupid law in the books?

Seems like a solution looking for a problem to me.

I read it as trying to limit what busybodies are calling to report as “abuse”. They should have called it the “Karen, mind your own damn business” act.

It’s amazing to remember the independence I had 45 years ago as a 7 year old. Taking our bikes and being out all day until dinner was not unusual. At 12 I was taking the subway into downtown Boston without anyone but a friend.

Pretty clear if we read it:

quote:

If enacted, the bill would change child abuse and neglect laws to clarify that a child is not neglected when allowed to participate in reasonably independent and safe activities. Those include walking to and from school, playing outside or staying home alone.

Yes, it is pathetic that something like this must be enacted into statutory law, but it was obviously necessary.

Added:
And I’ll take this opportunity to again express my opinion that one of the most powerful human motivators is for people to influence other people, and that often involves interfering in others’ lives. US society has made that interference possible and very common through strong social and even legal pressures. The ability to do that isn’t new in itself (at one time people could be fined for not attending the approved community church), but it has, I believe, exploded in recent times. I could cite many examples from voluntary submission to homeowner association rules, claims of racism and other forms of discrimination, requirements to accommodate the demands of tiny minorities to the detriment of everyone else, to things like medical mandates that have profound economic impacts on people’s lives. All these things make it possible for almost anyone to achieve attention and gain their moment in the spotlight by influencing (interfering with) other people’s lives with minimal effort and virtually no risk to themselves.

One particularly effective way of influencing (interfering with) people is by invoking the provisions of laws that require police action. A claim of domestic violence, for example, is ignored at the agency’s or even individual officer’s peril, and no matter how ridiculous the claim may seem on its face. And the same is true these days about any claim relating to child abuse or even neglect. Based on the experience of a relative, I have personal knowledge of how seriously such claims must be handled due to legal or even various bureaucratic rules.

This legislation may be a glimmer of hope that some of us are beginning to push back against a ridiculous state of affairs.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: sigfreund,

The problem in the majority of states is the Welfare Department not following up on legitimate cases. It is not usual for a child to be severely abused because of lack of followup. Several cases have gone to court where the assigned social worker just pencil whipped visits. Neglect hardly rates reporting. I guess in high class places Karens have the time to complain.

"Calling the Welfare" is also a tool in Section 8 housing to get back at someone.