Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB1873

Introduced
9/22/25  

Caption

In offenses against the family, further providing for the offense of endangering welfare of children; in child protective services, further providing for definitions and for exclusions from child abuse; and, in juvenile matters, further providing for definitions.

Impact

The direct impact of HB 1873, if enacted, would be a revision of how instances of child neglect and abuse are classified in Pennsylvania law. By clarifying that reasonable parental decisions regarding supervision and independent activities do not automatically constitute neglect, the bill seeks to provide legal protections for parents acting within social norms. This change has implications not only for parents but also for agencies involved in child protective services, as it would refine the criteria used to assess reports of child endangerment and neglect.

Summary

House Bill 1873 aims to amend Pennsylvania's Consolidated Statutes concerning child welfare by outlining specific conditions under which parental conduct may constitute endangerment. This legislation introduces a more nuanced definition of 'serious physical neglect' and stipulates exceptions that would not classify a parent's actions as neglect or abuse under certain conditions. A notable aspect of this bill is its focus on allowing parents to permit age-appropriate independent activities for their children, thereby asserting the rights of parents to supervise their children in line with their development and maturity levels.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 1873 appears to be mixed. Proponents, including some legislators and child development advocates, argue that the bill empowers parents and recognizes their role in determining appropriate levels of supervision. They believe it enhances parental autonomy and acknowledges children's growing independence. Conversely, some child welfare advocates express concern that the bill's provisions may inadvertently create loopholes for neglect and endangerment, potentially jeopardizing vulnerable children. These discussions point to a broader debate about the balance between parental rights and child protection in legal contexts.

Contention

Key points of contention in discussions about HB 1873 emerge around the balance between parental rights and child welfare. Critics worry that increased parental discretion could dilute protections designed to shield children from neglect and abuse. Supporters counter that the bill precisely addresses outdated interpretations of parental conduct that do not account for modern parenting practices. The amendments proposed in this bill could significantly reshape the landscape of juvenile matters regarding child protection in Pennsylvania, leading to ongoing dialogues about the efficacy and potential repercussions of such legislative changes.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA SB1021

In burglary and other criminal intrusion, further providing for the offense of criminal trespass; and, in offenses against the family, further providing for the offense of endangering welfare of children.

PA HB1125

In child protective services, further providing for definitions; and, in juvenile matters, further providing for definitions.

PA HB1187

In authorized disposition of offenders, further providing for Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition prohibited; in criminal homicide, further providing for the offense of murder; in assault, further providing for the offense of stalking and for the offense of unauthorized administration of intoxicant; in sexual offenses, further providing for definitions and for the offense of rape, repealing provisions relating to the offense of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and further providing for the offense of sexual assault, for the offense of institutional sexual assault, for the offense of sexual assault by sports official, volunteer or employee of nonprofit association, for the offense of aggravated indecent assault and for general rule relating to loss of property rights; in wiretapping and electronic surveillance, further providing for definitions and for order authorizing interception of wire, electronic or oral communications; in public indecency, further providing for the offense of prostitution and related offenses; in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms; in minors, further providing for transmission of sexually explicit images by minor; in criminal history record information, further providing for expungement and for juvenile records; in child custody, further providing for consideration of criminal conviction; in protection from abuse, further providing for definitions; in child protective services, further providing for definitions, for exclusions from child abuse and for employees having contact with children and adoptive and foster parents; in domestic and sexual violence victim address confidentiality, further providing for penalties; in limitation of time, further providing for infancy, insanity or imprisonment, for no limitation applicable and for other offenses; in depositions and witnesses, further providing for spouses as witnesses against each other and for hearsay; in juvenile matters, further providing for definitions, for inspection of court files and records, for law enforcement records, for conduct of hearings, for transfer to criminal proceedings and for assessment of delinquent children by the State Sexual Offenders Assessment Board; in court-ordered involuntary treatment of certain sexually violent persons, further providing for definitions and for court-ordered involuntary treatment; in sentencing, further providing for sentences for second or subsequent offenses, for sentences for offenses against elderly persons, for sentences for offenses against infant persons, for sentences for offenses committed while impersonating a law enforcement officer, for sentencing for trafficking of persons, for definitions, for sexual offenses and tier system, for termination of period of registration for juvenile offenders, for assessments, for registration and for assessments; in judicial change of name, further providing for change by order of court; in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for parole procedure; and, in interstate compacts, further providing for supervision of persons paroled by other states.

PA HB1059

In child protective services, further providing for definitions.

PA SB267

In offenses against the family, further providing for newborn protection; in child protective services, further providing for definitions and for taking child into protective custody; and, in newborn protection, further providing for definitions and for incubators for newborns, providing for health care providers at urgent care centers accepting newborns and further providing for reporting acceptance of newborns, for immunity, for duty of hospital and for duties of department.

PA HB324

In child protective services, further providing for definitions.

PA HB43

In child protective services, further providing for definitions.

PA HB310

In child protective services, further providing for definitions.

PA HB835

In protection from abuse, further providing for definitions.

PA SB1299

In human trafficking, further providing for definitions, for victim protection during prosecution and for safe harbor for sexually exploited children; in sex trafficking and missing and abducted children, further providing for county responsibilities; in juvenile matters, further providing for dependency in lieu of delinquency; and making an editorial change.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.