Children’s Healthcare Is a Legal Duty (CHILD) protects children from abuse and neglect caused by religious and cultural practices. Decades ago, Christian Scientists, who reject medical treatment, succeeded in getting almost all states to enact exemptions allowing parents to rely solely on prayer when their children are ill. As a result, many children have needlessly suffered permanent health issues and many have died. In most cases, the children suffered from illnesses that would have been easily and quickly resolved with medical intervention.

Thus, these state-approved exemptions have harmed children. In addition, the exemptions give religious parents the impression that the government endorses their prayer-only practices.

CHILD works to remove these harmful exemptions from state law. CHILD believes that the right of vulnerable children to get appropriate healthcare far outweighs the right of parents to neglect those children. CHILD has successfully reversed exemptions in several states. Most recently (2011), the director of CHILD, Rita Swan, demonstrated her dedication by temporarily moving from Iowa to Oregon to get the Oregon legislature to end religious defenses for homicide.

In addition, CHILD works to ensure that children are appropriately vaccinated, without exception for religious belief. The group also lobbies for the licensing of all childcare facilities, including those run by churches.