Utah's "free-range parenting" bill signed by Gov. Gary Herbert will take effect in May, allowing children more freedom to roam without parental supervision.
The bill allows children to wander around unsupervised provided they show signs of maturity and good judgment, USA Today noted.
Central to the new legislation is the redefinition of what "neglect" entails so that children have more freedom to participate in a range of activities without their parents being charged.
The concept is the brainchild of Lenore Skenazy, who authored "Free-Range Kids" and founded the nonprofit Let Grow.
On her website, she explains that the bill allows children to walk, cycle, take public transportation and play outside by themselves.
Sen. Lincoln Fillmore, a sponsor of the bill, told ABC News that it was important for children to "wonder about the world, explore and play in it, and by doing so learn the skills of self-reliance and problem-solving they'll need as adults."
He added that society has "become too hyper about 'protecting' kids and then end up sheltering them from the experiences that we took for granted as we were kids."
Fillmore said it was time for children to experience childhood without their parents facing punishment for allowing them certain freedoms.
Commenting on the passing of the bill, Skenazy told The Independent she was thrilled.
"This is not a crazy law," she said. "This is to make sure that crazy overprotection does not get made into law. It is a preventative measure. You don't want laws based on hysteria."
Skenazy added that the bill gave the rights back to parents "who love their children and gives rights back to children to have a childhood."
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