NEW YORK MEDICAL NEGLECT STATUTES
CIVIL MEDICAL NEGLECT STATUTE
There is a religious exemption to child endangerment for parents who fail to provide proper medical care to their child in favor of spiritual treatment in accordance with an established religion.
New York Civil Statute:
NEW YORK defense to child endangerment
In any prosecution for endangering the welfare of a child 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 is a parent, guardian or other person legally charged with the care or custody of such child; 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 treated or caused such ill child to be treated in accordance with such tenets.
New York Penal Law §260.15
CRIMINAL MEDICAL NEGLECT STATUTE
There is no religious exemption to criminal liability for parents failing to provide medical care based on faith.
New York Criminal Statute:
None