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General Neglect

Penal Code Section 11165.2 (b) defines “General neglect” as the negligent failure of a person having the care or custody of a child to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision where no physical injury to the child has occurred but the child is at substantial risk of suffering serious physical harm or illness. “General neglect” does not include a parent’s economic disadvantage. This definition was revised by AB 2085, which emphasizes that poverty alone does not constitute general neglect

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