Senate committee moves bill clarifying parents’ discretion over routine unsupervised activities for children

Summary

SB 12 86, presented in committee, would clarify that parents allowing children to engage in routine unsupervised outdoor activities—biking, walking or playing near home—does not by itself constitute neglect unless the permission is reckless and endangers the child; the committee reported the bill favorably.

Senator Grohl presented SB 12 86 to the Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee, describing it as legislation to protect parents’ discretion to allow routine unsupervised activities for children without triggering a child abuse or neglect investigation.

The sponsor said the bill would codify existing practice by clarifying that routine outdoor activities such as biking, walking or playing near home do not constitute neglect unless parental permission would be reckless and create a danger. The sponsor cited research tying loss of independence to rises in childhood anxiety and depression and said similar laws exist in at least eight other states.

Barney Bishop of the Florida Smart Justice Alliance waived in support. No opposition testimony was recorded in the transcript, and several senators indicated support during debate. The committee reported SB 12 86 favorably; the transcript records the favorable report but does not include a full numeric roll call in the excerpt provided.