This summary synthesizes findings from a single research study, What is neglect? State legal definitions in the United States.

Nearly 8 million children were involved in a report of alleged maltreatment in 2019, and most substantiated reports involved neglect (75%). In spite of the prevalence of neglect as a reason for child welfare involvement, states are not required to use a standard definition, giving each state discretion in setting the criteria for what qualifies as neglect. This results in a wide variety of policies and practices around the country that ultimately have a significant impact on the lives of children and families.

The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) defines neglect as a form of maltreatment but provides little guidance as to how it should be defined. As a result, states have vastly different standards for determining what constitutes neglect and when to intervene. Cultural differences around parenting expectations can further complicate how definitions are interpreted and applied. Although there is a lack of consensus about how to define neglect, this analysis illustrates patterns within states that reveal three distinct clusters or definitional groups:

The vague and inconsistent definitions of neglect across the country make it challenging to understand underlying conditions or concerns, which often involve circumstances requiring support versus traditional child welfare interventions such as hotline calls and investigations. These inconsistencies have implications for child welfare professionals in the latitude they have to determine when to intervene. Additional research is warranted to better understand the impact of state definitions of child maltreatment on families, and to better guide child welfare policy and practice.