Alabama

Under Alabama law, child abuse is the actual or threatened harm of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation or mental/emotional injury against a minor child. There is an exemption for the parent’s failure to provide medical aid to the child on religious grounds.

Alaska

Under Alaska law, child abuse is the actual or threatened harm of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation or mental/emotional injury against a minor child. There is an exemption for the parent’s failure to provide medical aid to the child on religious grounds.

Arizona

Under Arizona child abuse is the infliction of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation or mental/emotional injury against a minor child. Even allowing such infliction is child abuse. There is an exemption for a Christian Scientist parent’s failure to provide medical aid to the child on religious grounds. Another exception is the failure to provide medical aid due to lack of reasonable resources.

Arkansas

Under Arkansas law, child abuse refers to the intentional, willful or negligent infliction of physical or sexual abuse, abandonment, neglect, sexual exploitation or mental/emotional injury against a minor child. The law has exemptions for corporal punishment and poverty.

California

Under California law, child abuse is the non-accidental infliction of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation or mental/emotional injury against a minor child. The law has exemptions for informed medical decision, reasonable force and religious beliefs.

Colorado

Under Colorado law, the threat to a child’s welfare and health because of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation or mental/emotional injury is prohibited. The law has exemptions for reasonable force, religious beliefs, cultural beliefs and corporal punishment.

Connecticut

Under Connecticut law, child abuse is the non-accidental infliction of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation or mental/emotional injury against a minor child. The law has exemptions for Christian Scientists.

Delaware

Under Delaware law, child abuse is the non-accidental infliction of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation or mental/emotional injury against a minor child. The law has exemptions for religious beliefs.

District of Columbia

In DC, the infliction of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation or mental/emotional injury is prohibited. The law requires persons to take reasonable care to not do so. The law has exemptions for poverty and religious beliefs.

Florida

Under Florida law, child abuse refers to the willful or threatened acts that harm or is likely to harm the child and includes physical or sexual abuse, abandonment, neglect, sexual exploitation or mental/emotional injury. The law has exemptions for poverty, religion and corporal punishment.

Georgia

Under Georgia law, child abuse is the non-accidental infliction of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation or mental/emotional injury against a minor child. The law has exemptions for corporal punishments and religious beliefs.

Hawaii

Under Hawaii law, child abuse refers to the acts or omissions that result in the infliction or is reasonably likely to result in physical or sexual abuse, abandonment, neglect, sexual exploitation or mental/emotional injury against a minor child. The law has NO exemptions.

Idaho

Under Idaho law, child abuse refers to the acts or omissions that result in the infliction or is reasonably likely to result in physical or sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment, sexual exploitation or mental/emotional injury against a minor child. The law has exemptions for religious beliefs.

Illinois

Under Illinois law, the infliction or causing (or allowing) the infliction of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation or mental/emotional injury is prohibited. The law has exemptions for plan of care, school attendance and religious beliefs.

Indiana

Under Indiana law, child abuse refers to the acts or omissions that result in the infliction or is reasonably likely to result in physical or sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment, sexual exploitation or mental/emotional injury against a minor child. The law has exemptions for religious beliefs, corporal punishment and prescription drugs.

Kentucky

Under Kentucky law, child abuse is the actual or threatened harm of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment, sexual exploitation or mental/emotional injury against a minor child. There is an exemption for religious beliefs.

Maryland

Under Maryland law, child abuse refers to the harm or substantial harm that result in physical or sexual abuse, abandonment, neglect, sexual exploitation or mental/emotional injury against a minor child. The law has NO exemptions.

Michigan

Michigan law prohibits the actual or threatened harm of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment, sexual exploitation or mental/emotional injury against a minor child. There is an exemption for religious beliefs.

Mississippi

Under Mississippi law, the infliction or causing (or allowing) the infliction of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation or mental/emotional injury is prohibited. The law has exemptions for religious beliefs and corporal punishment.

Nebraska

Under Nebraska law, the infliction or causing (or allowing) the infliction (knowingly or negligently) of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation or mental/emotional injury is prohibited. The law has NO exemptions.

New Mexico

Under New Mexico law, the infliction or causing (or allowing) the infliction (knowingly or negligently) of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation or mental/emotional injury is prohibited. The law has exemptions for religious beliefs.

North Dakota

Under North Dakota law, the causing of serious harm by non-accidental means that result in physical or sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment, sexual exploitation or mental/emotional injury is prohibited. The law has NO exemptions.

Oklahoma

Under Oklahoma law, child abuse is the actual or threatened harm of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation or mental/emotional injury. The law has exemptions for religious beliefs and corporal punishment.

Pennsylvania

Under Pennsylvania law, any act or omission (failure to act) that results in physical or sexual abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation or mental/emotional injury is prohibited. The law has exemptions for religious beliefs and poverty.

South Dakota

Under South Dakota law, the treat with substantial harm that results in physical or sexual abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation or mental/emotional injury is prohibited. The law has NO exemptions.

Tennessee

Under Tennessee law, the committing or allowing someone to commit of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation or mental/emotional injury is prohibited. The law has NO exemptions.

Utah

Under Oklahoma law, actual or threatened harm of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation or mental/emotional injury is prohibited. The law has NO exemptions.

Washington

Under Washington law, harm caused to the safety, welfare and health resulting from physical or sexual abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation or mental/emotional injury is prohibited. The law has exemptions for corporal punishments, physical disability and Christian Scientists.