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IPFS News Link • Legislative Mischief

Parents Could Be Arrested For Leaving Children Home Alone Under New Law

• http://www.trueactivist.com

parents worried about leaving their teenagers home alone. Known as the Abused and Neglected child Reporting Act (or 325 ILC 5/), the new law states that:

"The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services shall, upon receiving reports made under this Act, protect the health, safety, and best interests of the child in all situations in which the child is vulnerable to child abuse or neglect, offer protective services in order to prevent any further harm to the child and to other children in the same environment or family, stabilize the home environment, and preserve family life whenever possible."

Also known as the Parental Responsibility Law, this legislation will, in effect, make any parent subject to the scrutiny of their neighbor, and to the full jurisdiction of the law beyond that point when they leave any child under 14 home alone, whereupon that child may be put into protective services.

There are 14 factors that determine whether a minor is in danger, including the age, and number of minors left at the location. However, the vague 15th factor leaves the door wide open for unreasonable interference from law enforcement and other state agencies. The 15th factor is quoted as "any factor that would endanger the health and safety of that particular minor."



 


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