Utah has become the first state to legalize “free-range parenting,” codifying that kids can participate in unsupervised activities without their parents facing neglect charges.
Utah. Gov. Gary Herbert (R) signed the law earlier this month that redefines child “neglect,” ABC News reported Tuesday.
“Absence evidence of clear danger, abuse or neglect, we believe that parents have the best sense of how to teach responsibility to their children” Herbert said in a statement.
The new law prevents parents from being considered negligent by state authorities for letting their child walk outside alone, play without supervision or wait alone in a car.
State Sen. Lincoln Fillmore (R), a sponsor on the bill, said society has become “too hyper” about protecting children and ends up sheltering them from opportunities.
“Kids need to wonder about the world, explore and play in it, and by doing so learn the skills of self-reliance and problem-solving they’ll need as adults,” Fillmore said.
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Anderson encouraged parents to use “common sense” and have clear guidelines with their children about safe practices.
The bill passed unanimously through both houses of Utah’s legislature and goes into effect in May.
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Utah becomes first state to pass "free-range parenting" law https://t.co/0ao2aVrwqF pic.twitter.com/s9gO5idEXb
— The Hill (@thehill) March 27, 2018
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