Nevada Revised Statutes

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 432B.020 (2026)

“Abuse or neglect of a child” defined

✓ current as of July 2026
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NRS 432B.020  “Abuse or neglect of a child” defined.

      1.  “Abuse or neglect of a child” means, except as otherwise provided in subsection 2:

      (a) Physical or mental injury of a nonaccidental nature;

      (b) Sexual abuse or sexual exploitation; or

      (c) Negligent treatment or maltreatment as set forth in NRS 432B.140,

Ê of a child caused or allowed by a person responsible for the welfare of the child under circumstances which indicate that the child’s health or welfare is harmed or threatened with harm.

      2.  A child is not abused or neglected, nor is the health or welfare of the child harmed or threatened for the sole reason that:

      (a) The parent of the child delivers the child to a provider of emergency services pursuant to NRS 432B.630, if the parent complies with the requirements of paragraph (a) of subsection 3 of that section;

      (b) The parent or guardian of the child, in good faith, selects and depends upon nonmedical remedial treatment for such child, if such treatment is recognized and permitted under the laws of this State in lieu of medical treatment. This paragraph does not limit the court in ensuring that a child receive a medical examination and treatment pursuant to NRS 62E.280;

      (c) The parent or guardian of the child seeks to have the child admitted into a public or private mental health facility or hospital if the behavioral health needs of the child pose a risk to the safety and welfare of the family; or

      (d) The parent or guardian of the child brings into the home of the child a biological, foster or adoptive child whose behavioral health needs pose a risk to the safety and welfare of the family.

      3.  As used in this section, “allow” means to do nothing to prevent or stop the abuse or neglect of a child in circumstances where the person knows or has reason to know that a child is abused or neglected.

      (Added to NRS by 1985, 1368; A 2001, 1255; 2003, 1149; 2025, 1248)

     

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 8 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2004–2024 · leading case: Jason S. v. Valley Hosp. Med. Ctr., 87 P.3d 521 (Nev. 2004).
Jason S. v. Valley Hosp. Med. Ctr., 87 P.3d 521 (Nev. 2004). “220; NRS 432B.020; NRS 432B.140. Unless otherwise noted, the 2003 session of the Nevada Legislature made no significant changes to the statute.”
Roe v. Nevada, 621 F. Supp. 2d 1039 (D. Nev. 2007). “” § 432B.020. This section also mandates reporting of such abuse.”
Martinez, Jr. (jesus) v. State, 558 P.3d 346 (Nev. 2024). “508(4)(a), (d); NRS 432B.020. NRS 432B.110(1), which the information cited, defines sexual exploitation in part as "forcing, allowing or encouraging a child .”
In Re: Guardianship of B.A.A.R., 2020 NV 57 (Nev. 2020). · cites it 8× “2203(8)(b) defines "[a]buse or neglect" for purposes of SIJ predicate findings as having "the meaning ascribed to 'abuse or neglect of a child in NRS 432B.020." And NRS 432B.020 defines that term as "[p]hysical or mental injury of a nonaccidental nature," "[s]exual abuse or…”
In re Guardianship of B.A.A.R. (Nev. 2020). · cites it 8× “2203(8)(b) defines "[a]buse or neglect" for purposes of SIJ predicate findings as having "the meaning ascribed to 'abuse or neglect of a child in NRS 432B.020." And NRS 432B.020 defines that term as "[p]hysical or mental injury of a nonaccidental nature," "[s]exual abuse or…”
Rydell v. Clark Cnty. Dep't. of Fam. Serv.'s (Nev. 2017). · cites it 2× “Because a pattern of abuse is not one of the elements required by NRS 432B.020, we conclude it is unnecessary to address this argument.”
In Re: Guardianship of D.S.M. (Nev. 2018). · cites it 2× “See NRS 128.012 (defining "abandonment of a child"); NRS 432B.”
Jethva v. Clark Cty. Dep't of Fam. Serv.'s (Nev. 2017). “" NRS 432B.020(1)(a). NAC 432B.020 defines nonaccidental as "arising from an event or effect that a person responsible for a child's welfare could reasonably be expected to foresee, regardless of whether that person did not intend to abuse or neglect a child or was ignorant of…”
— Nev. Rev. Stat. § 432B.020(1) — 2 cases
In Re: Guardianship of B.A.A.R., 2020 NV 57 (Nev. 2020). “2203(8)(b) defines "[a]buse or neglect" for purposes of SIJ predicate findings as having "the meaning ascribed to 'abuse or neglect of a child in NRS 432B.020." And NRS 432B.020 defines that term as "[p]hysical or mental injury of a nonaccidental nature," "[s]exual abuse or…”
In re Guardianship of B.A.A.R. (Nev. 2020). “2203(8)(b) defines "[a]buse or neglect" for purposes of SIJ predicate findings as having "the meaning ascribed to 'abuse or neglect of a child in NRS 432B.020." And NRS 432B.020 defines that term as "[p]hysical or mental injury of a nonaccidental nature," "[s]exual abuse or…”
— Nev. Rev. Stat. § 432B.020(1)(a) — 2 cases
Rydell v. Clark Cnty. Dep't. of Fam. Serv.'s (Nev. 2017). “Because a pattern of abuse is not one of the elements required by NRS 432B.020, we conclude it is unnecessary to address this argument.”
Jethva v. Clark Cty. Dep't of Fam. Serv.'s (Nev. 2017). “" NRS 432B.020(1)(a). NAC 432B.020 defines nonaccidental as "arising from an event or effect that a person responsible for a child's welfare could reasonably be expected to foresee, regardless of whether that person did not intend to abuse or neglect a child or was ignorant of…”
— Nev. Rev. Stat. § 432B.020(1)(c) — 2 cases
In Re: Guardianship of B.A.A.R., 2020 NV 57 (Nev. 2020). “2203(8)(b) defines "[a]buse or neglect" for purposes of SIJ predicate findings as having "the meaning ascribed to 'abuse or neglect of a child in NRS 432B.020." And NRS 432B.020 defines that term as "[p]hysical or mental injury of a nonaccidental nature," "[s]exual abuse or…”
In re Guardianship of B.A.A.R. (Nev. 2020). “2203(8)(b) defines "[a]buse or neglect" for purposes of SIJ predicate findings as having "the meaning ascribed to 'abuse or neglect of a child in NRS 432B.020." And NRS 432B.020 defines that term as "[p]hysical or mental injury of a nonaccidental nature," "[s]exual abuse or…”
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