Pa. Lawmakers Advance Bill Focused On Childhood Autonomy

By Emily Previti, Pennsylvania Capital-Star

November 21, 2025

State legislators have moved a proposal to redefine child abuse and neglect under the law so that children can independently engage in certain activities without their caregivers being inappropriately punished.

House Bill 1873 explicitly states that it’s okay to permit kids to venture out alone under circumstances including babysitting, playing outdoors and traveling between destinations such as school, stores and recreation sites.

It also would clarify under Pennsylvania’s legal definitions of child abuse and neglect that parents or guardians must have recklessly or willfully discounted foreseeable danger.

The measure aims to prevent child protective services overreach, which disproportionately impacts non-white and working families.

Advocates previously testified about clients suffering severe ramifications from investigations prompted by relatively routine scenarios.

Philadelphia-based Community Legal Services developed the bill alongside Let Grow, an advocacy organization behind similar laws on the books in nearly a dozen other states.

The proposal now awaits consideration by the full chamber following a 25-1 vote by the House Children & Youth Committee.

Rep. Brenda Pugh (R-Luzerne) cast the lone vote against the measure. She supports the intent, but thinks the language should be tweaked.

“My concern is for the child that is not in the responsible home,” Pugh said.

“With my background and my past, I have a history of dealing with those that are not responsible.”

Pugh’s office didn’t respond to requests to elaborate on her experience and concerns. Before winning her seat, she was CEO of AMP Global Strategies. AMP is a consultancy focused on gunshot detection for schools, law enforcement and government agencies.

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