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

The Reasonable Childhood Independence Act. Currently, Idaho’s open-ended definition of neglect leaves parents exposed to frivolous allegations of neglect or even unnecessary actions taken by authorities. As the law stands, parents could get into trouble just for letting their kids play outside. This Act will protect families across the economic spectrum by affirming parents’ right to let their kids: 1) Walk to and from school and other places 2) Play outside 3) Be home alone for a reasonable amount of time 4) Remain in a vehicle if it isn’t dangerously hot or cold 5) Engage in similar independent activities except if the parent is showing conscious disregard of a child’s safety. The proposed law clarifies that child neglect be defined as actually putting kids in obvious danger or denying them truly necessary care and does not include normal actions by parents for encouraging reasonable childhood independence activities.