Simple English definitions for legal terms
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FAITH-HEALING EXEMPTION: A rule that says parents who use faith healing instead of regular medical treatment for their child cannot be charged with child abuse or neglect. This rule is in place in most states, but the laws are different in each state. Some states allow parents to use faith healing as a defense if their child dies because they refused medical treatment, while others do not. This rule is also called a religious-exemption statute or spiritual-treatment exemption.
Definition: A provision in child-abuse or child-neglect statutes that allows parents to use faith healing instead of standard medical treatment for their child without being charged with abuse or neglect.
For example, if a child is sick and the parents believe that prayer and faith healing will cure the child, they may choose not to seek medical treatment. If the child's condition worsens or the child dies, the parents may not be charged with abuse or neglect if there is a faith-healing exemption in their state's laws.
However, the laws vary from state to state. Some states allow the exemption to be used as a defense in manslaughter or murder charges, while others do not.
It is important to note that this exemption only applies to faith healing and not to other forms of medical neglect.
Example: In Oregon, a couple was charged with manslaughter after their newborn died from complications related to a preventable infection. The couple had chosen to rely on faith healing instead of seeking medical treatment. However, Oregon's faith-healing exemption does not apply to manslaughter charges, and the couple was found guilty.
Explanation: This example illustrates how the faith-healing exemption can vary from state to state and how it may not apply in certain situations. In this case, the couple's reliance on faith healing resulted in the death of their child, and they were held accountable for their actions.