Amends statutory definition of "abused child."

A4125

ASSEMBLY, No. 4125

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 19, 2026

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman� CAROL A. MURPHY

District 7 (Burlington)

SYNOPSIS

���� Amends statutory definition of �abused child.�

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

An Act
concerning child abuse and amending
P.L.1971,
c.437.

����
Be It
Enacted
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1. Section 2 of P.L.1971,
c.437 (C.9:6-8.9) is amended to read as follows:

���� 2.��� For purposes of this
act:

���� "Abused child" means
a child under the age of 18 years whose parent, guardian, or other person
having his custody and control:

���� a.���� Inflicts or allows to
be inflicted upon such child physical injury by other than accidental means
which causes or creates a substantial risk of death, or serious or protracted
disfigurement, or protracted impairment of physical or emotional health or protracted
loss or impairment of the function of any bodily organ;

���� b.��� Creates or allows to be
created a substantial or ongoing risk of physical injury to such child by other
than accidental means which would be likely to cause death or serious or
protracted disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of
any bodily organ; or

���� c.����
(1)
Commits or
allows to be committed an act of sexual abuse against the child;
or

����
(2) Commits or allows to be
committed an act of human trafficking against the child as defined in section 1
of P.L.2005, c.77 (C.2C:13-8);

���� d.��� Or a child whose
physical, mental, or emotional condition has been impaired or is in imminent
danger of becoming impaired as the result of the failure of his parent or
guardian, or such other person having his custody and control, to exercise a
minimum degree of care (1) in supplying the child with adequate food, clothing,
shelter, education, medical or surgical care though financially able to do so
or though offered financial or other reasonable means to do so, or (2) in
providing the child with proper supervision or guardianship, by unreasonably
inflicting or allowing to be inflicted harm, or substantial risk thereof,
including the infliction of excessive corporal punishment or using excessive
physical restraint under circumstances which do not indicate that the child's
behavior is harmful to himself, others or property; or by any other act of a
similarly serious nature requiring the aid of the court;

���� e.���� Or a child who has been
willfully abandoned by his parent or guardian, or such other person having his
custody and control;

���� f.���� Or a child who is in an
institution as defined in section 1 of P.L.1974, c.119 (C.9:6-8.21) and (1) has
been so placed inappropriately for a continued period of time with the
knowledge that the placement has resulted and may continue to result in harm to
the child's mental or physical well-being or (2) has been willfully isolated
from ordinary social contact under circumstances which indicate emotional or
social deprivation.

���� A child shall not be
considered abused pursuant to subsection f. of this section if the acts or
omissions described therein occur in a day school as defined in section 1 of
P.L.1974, c.119 (C.9:6-8.21).

(cf: P.L.1987, c.341, s.3)

���� 2.��� This act shall take
effect immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This bill amends the statutory
definition of �abused child� under section 2 of P.L.1971, c.437 (C.9:6-8.9).

���� Under the bill, a child is
deemed to be an abused child if the child�s parent, guardian, or custodian either
commits or allows to be committed an act of human trafficking against the child
as defined in section 1 of P.L.2005, c.77 (C.2C:13-8).�