Bill Text: DE HB176 | 2015-2016 | 148th General Assembly | Draft

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Bill Title: An Act To Amend Title 16 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Child Supervision.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-06-17 - Reported Out of Committee (HEALTH & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT) in House with 8 On Its Merits [HB176 Detail]

Download: Delaware-2015-HB176-Draft.html

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SPONSOR:	Rep. Miro & Sen. Ennis;
	Reps. Wilson, Keeley

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

148th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 176

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CHILD SUPERVISION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1.Amend §902, Title 16 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows and by redesignating accordingly:

§902 Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the following terms mean:

(13)"Home Alone" shall refer to the act of leaving a child without adequate supervision, as may be reasonably required depending upon the particular circumstances of each child.

Section 2.Amend §907, Title 16 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§907 Temporary emergency protective custody.

(a) A police officer or a physician who reasonably suspects that a child is in imminent danger of suffering serious physical harm or a threat to life as a result of abuse or neglect, including circumstances when the child is left home alone,and who reasonably suspects the harm or threat to life may occur before the Family Court can issue a temporary protective custody order may take or retain temporary emergency protective custody of the child without the consent of the child's parents, guardian or others legally responsible for the child's care.

SYNOPSIS

This bill identifies the act of leaving a child home alone, an act that is considered when investigating the potential abuse or neglect of a child.As every child and particular situation is unique, this definition allows for a case by case determination of what type of supervision is reasonably appropriate.This bill also clarifies that police officers may retain temporary emergency protective custody of a child that is found left home alone without adequate supervision.