New York statute
N.Y. Penal Law § 260.15 — Endangering the welfare of a child; defense
Current through 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)
Part of Article 260: Offenses Relating to Children, Disabled Persons and Vulnerable Elderly Persons, New York Penal Law.
Full text of N.Y. Penal Law § 260.15
Statutory text current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17). This publication reproduces the text of the Consolidated Laws of New York as provided by the New York State Senate's Open Legislation service (Legislative Bill Drafting Commission statutory text); it is not the official statutes of the State of New York.
260.15 Endangering the welfare of a child; defense.
In any prosecution for endangering the welfare of a child, pursuant to
section 260.10 of this article, based upon an alleged failure or refusal
to provide proper medical care or treatment to an ill child, it is an
affirmative defense that the defendant (a) is a parent, guardian or
other person legally charged with the care or custody of such child; and
(b) is a member or adherent of an organized church or religious group
the tenets of which prescribe prayer as the principal treatment for
illness; and (c) treated or caused such ill child to be treated in
accordance with such tenets.
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