Utah becomes first US state to allow ‘free-range parenting’

LOS ANGELES: Utah has become the first US state to allow children to roam free and take part in unsupervised activities under a “Free Range Parenting” law that went into ef fect on Tuesday.

The state’s governor in March signed a bill that protects parents from being prosecuted for child neglect if they allow their kids to do things on their own.

That includes playing outside without adult supervision, taking part in certain activities or walking to school alone.

The new legislation, adopted unanimously by lawmakers, s tipu l ate s that any chi ld lef t unsupervised must be mature enough and have good judgement.

“Utah’s ‘Free-Range Parenting’ law is a good example of common sense legislation,” the state’s governor Gary Herbert told AFP in a statement.

“We believe that parents know and love their children better than anybody. We also believe that absent evidence of neglect, danger or cruelty, parents have the best sense of how to teach responsibility to their children.

“Responsible parents should be able to let kids be kids without constantly looking over their shoulders for approval ,” he added.

The bill does not specify the age range targeted by the legislation which was worded vaguely so as to allow authorities to deal with situations on a case by case basis, supporters say. — AFP