Datasets:

referencesource
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filial-responsibility-laws-by-state

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[ "public_charge_limit", "state" ]	Each child is bound to maintain the child's parents	alaska	not stated	https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp?media=print&secStart=25.20.030&secEnd=25.20.030	Sec. 25.20.030. Duty of parent and child to maintain each other. Each parent is bound to maintain the parent's children when poor and unable to work to maintain themselves. Each child is bound to maintain the child's parents in like circumstances.	Alaska	Sec. 25.20.030	poor and unable to work to maintain themselves	https://referencesource.org/filial-responsibility-laws-by-state/alaska/	[ "duty_owed_by", "statute_citation", "trigger_condition" ]	null	null	null	null	null	null
[ "public_charge_limit", "remedy_type", "state" ]	an adult child shall, to the extent of the adult child’s ability, support a parent who is in need and unable to self-maintain by work	california	extends beyond public charge	https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=FAM&division=9.&title=&part=4.&chapter=1.&article=	PART 4. SUPPORT OF PARENTS [4400 - 4414] ( Part 4 enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10. ) CHAPTER 1. General Provisions [4400 - 4405] ( Chapter 1 enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10. ) 4400. Except as otherwise provided by law, an adult child shall, to the extent of the adult child’s ability, support a parent ...	California	4400	a parent who is in need and unable to self-maintain by work	https://referencesource.org/filial-responsibility-laws-by-state/california/	[ "ability_to_pay_qualifier", "duty_owed_by", "statute_citation", "trigger_condition", "who_may_enforce" ]	to the extent of the adult child’s ability	civil	A parent, or the county on behalf of the parent, may bring an action against the child to enforce the duty of support under this part.	null	null	null
[ "public_charge_limit", "remedy_type", "state" ]	Any person who neglects or refuses to furnish reasonably necessary support to the person's spouse, child under the age of eighteen or parent under the age of sixty-five	connecticut	not stated	https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_946.htm	Sec. 53-304. Nonsupport. Support orders and agreements. Administration of oaths by family relations counselors and support enforcement officers. (a) Any person who neglects or refuses to furnish reasonably necessary support to the person's spouse, child under the age of eighteen or parent under the age of sixty-five sh...	Connecticut	Sec. 53-304	parent under the age of sixty-five	https://referencesource.org/filial-responsibility-laws-by-state/connecticut/	[ "ability_to_pay_qualifier", "duty_owed_by", "penalty", "statute_citation", "statutory_defences", "trigger_condition", "who_may_enforce" ]	in such amount as the court may find commensurate with the necessities of the case and the ability of such person	criminal	prosecuted before any court of this state in the same manner as if such offense had been committed within the territorial jurisdiction of such court	shall be imprisoned not more than one year	unless the person shows to the court before which the trial is had that, owing to physical incapacity or other good cause, the person is unable to furnish such support	null
[ "public_charge_limit", "remedy_type", "state" ]	the duty to support a poor person unable to support the poor person’s own self rests upon the spouse, parents, or children, in that order	delaware	not stated	https://delcode.delaware.gov/title13/c005/sc01/index.html	§ 503. Duty to support a poor person. Except as expressly provided in §§ 501 and 502 of this title, the duty to support a poor person unable to support the poor person’s own self rests upon the spouse, parents, or children, in that order, subject to § 504 of this title as to expenses described therein. If the relation ...	Delaware	§ 503	a poor person unable to support the poor person’s own self	https://referencesource.org/filial-responsibility-laws-by-state/delaware/	[ "ability_to_pay_qualifier", "duty_owed_by", "statute_citation", "statutory_defences", "trigger_condition", "who_may_enforce" ]	If the relation prior in order shall not be able, the next in order shall be liable, and several relations of the same order shall, if able, contribute according to their means.	civil	The Family Court of the State shall have exclusive original jurisdiction over all actions arising under this chapter.	null	No person shall be required to support another while there is just cause for failing or refusing to do so.	null
[ "state" ]	null	iowa	null	https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/252.pdf	252.1 “Poor person” defined. 252.2 through 252.9 Repealed by 2015 Acts, ch 14, §3.	Iowa	252.2	null	https://referencesource.org/filial-responsibility-laws-by-state/iowa/	[ "status", "statute_citation" ]	null	null	null	null	null	252.2 through 252.9 Repealed by 2015 Acts, ch 14, §3.
[ "public_charge_limit", "remedy_type", "state" ]	A parent of a child under 25 years of age and a spouse living in or owning property in the State	maine	public assistance only	https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/22/title22sec4319.html	A parent of a child under 25 years of age and a spouse living in or owning property in the State shall support their children or husband or wife in proportion to their respective ability.	Maine	§4319	a dependent of a legally responsible parent or to a person's spouse who is financially capable of providing support	https://referencesource.org/filial-responsibility-laws-by-state/maine/	[ "ability_to_pay_qualifier", "duty_owed_by", "statute_citation", "statutory_defences", "trigger_condition", "who_may_enforce" ]	in proportion to their respective ability	civil	A municipality or the State, after providing general assistance	null	The assessment may not be made to pay any expense for relief provided more than 12 months before the complaint was filed.	null
[ "public_charge_limit", "remedy_type", "state" ]	If a destitute adult child is in this State and has a parent who has or is able to earn sufficient means, the parent may not neglect or refuse to provide the destitute adult child with food, shelter, care, and clothing.	maryland	not stated	https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gfl&section=13-102&enactments=false	§13–102. (a) If a destitute adult child is in this State and has a parent who has or is able to earn sufficient means, the parent may not neglect or refuse to provide the destitute adult child with food, shelter, care, and clothing. (b) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is ...	Maryland	§13–102	a destitute adult child is in this State	https://referencesource.org/filial-responsibility-laws-by-state/maryland/	[ "ability_to_pay_qualifier", "duty_owed_by", "penalty", "statute_citation", "trigger_condition" ]	a parent who has or is able to earn sufficient means	criminal	null	a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year, or both	null	null
[ "public_charge_limit", "remedy_type", "state" ]	Any person, over eighteen, who, being possessed of sufficient means, unreasonably neglects or refuses to provide for the support and maintenance of his parent, whether father or mother, residing in the commonwealth	massachusetts	not stated	https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter273/Section20	Section 20: Neglect or refusal to support parent Section 20. Any person, over eighteen, who, being possessed of sufficient means, unreasonably neglects or refuses to provide for the support and maintenance of his parent, whether father or mother, residing in the commonwealth, when such parent through misfortune and wit...	Massachusetts	Section 20	when such parent through misfortune and without fault of his own is destitute of means of sustenance and unable by reason of old age, infirmity or illness to support and maintain himself	https://referencesource.org/filial-responsibility-laws-by-state/massachusetts/	[ "ability_to_pay_qualifier", "duty_owed_by", "penalty", "statute_citation", "statutory_defences", "trigger_condition" ]	being possessed of sufficient means	criminal	null	shall be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both	No such neglect or refusal shall be deemed unreasonable as to a child who shall not during his minority have been reasonably supported by such parent, if such parent was charged with the duty so to do, nor as to a child who, being one of two or more children, has made proper and reasonable contribution toward the suppo...	null
[ "public_charge_limit", "remedy_type", "state" ]	the descendants of any pauper not able to work	mississippi	public assistance only	https://codes.findlaw.com/ms/title-43-public-welfare/ms-code-sect-43-31-25.html	The father and grandfather, the mother and grandmother, and brothers and sisters, and the descendants of any pauper not able to work, as the board of supervisors shall direct, shall, at their own charge, relieve and maintain such pauper; and, in case of refusal, shall forfeit and pay the county the sum of One Hundred F...	Mississippi	§ 43-31-25	any pauper not able to work	https://referencesource.org/filial-responsibility-laws-by-state/mississippi/	[ "duty_owed_by", "penalty", "statute_citation", "trigger_condition", "who_may_enforce" ]	null	civil	to be recovered in the name of the county	One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150.00) per month, for each month they may so refuse	null	null
[ "state" ]	null	montana	null	https://archive.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0400/chapter_0060/part_0030/section_0010/0400-0060-0030-0010.html	Part 3. Obligations of Children (Repealed) Repealed 40-6-301. Repealed. Sec. 3, Ch. 213, L. 2021.	Montana	40-6-301	null	https://referencesource.org/filial-responsibility-laws-by-state/montana/	[ "status", "statute_citation" ]	null	null	null	null	null	Repealed. Sec. 3, Ch. 213, L. 2021.
[ "public_charge_limit", "remedy_type", "state" ]	The father, mother or child of sufficient financial ability, as appropriate, shall pay to the county the amount the county paid for the burial, entombment or cremation of a natural child or a natural parent.	nevada	public assistance only	https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-428.html	2. The child of a natural parent receiving county hospitalization pursuant to NRS 428.030 is not liable for the amount paid by the county for that parent, except where the natural child promised to support the natural parent in writing, has access to and control of the natural parent’s assets or income and has sufficie...	Nevada	NRS 428.070	a natural parent receiving county hospitalization pursuant to NRS 428.030	https://referencesource.org/filial-responsibility-laws-by-state/nevada/	[ "ability_to_pay_qualifier", "duty_owed_by", "statute_citation", "statutory_defences", "trigger_condition", "who_may_enforce" ]	of sufficient financial ability	civil	The board of county commissioners shall advise the Attorney General of the failure of a responsible person to pay such amount and the Attorney General shall cause appropriate legal action to be taken to enforce the collection of all or part of such amount.	null	The child of a natural parent receiving county hospitalization pursuant to NRS 428.030 is not liable for the amount paid by the county for that parent, except where the natural child promised to support the natural parent in writing, has access to and control of the natural parent’s assets or income and has sufficient ...	null
[ "public_charge_limit", "remedy_type", "state" ]	a father, mother, husband, or wife, who are declared jointly and severally liable for such assistance	new-hampshire	public assistance only	https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/XII/167/167-2.htm	167:2 Liability for Support; Recovery. – Assistance rendered under this chapter or RSA 161 to anyone having a father, mother, husband or wife, whose weekly income or other resources are more than sufficient to provide a reasonable subsistence compatible with decency and health, may be recovered in an appropriate procee...	New Hampshire	167:2	Assistance rendered under this chapter or RSA 161 to anyone having a father, mother, husband or wife, whose weekly income or other resources are more than sufficient to provide a reasonable subsistence compatible with decency and health	https://referencesource.org/filial-responsibility-laws-by-state/new-hampshire/	[ "ability_to_pay_qualifier", "duty_owed_by", "statute_citation", "statutory_defences", "trigger_condition", "who_may_enforce" ]	whose weekly income or other resources are more than sufficient to provide a reasonable subsistence compatible with decency and health	civil	Such action shall be brought by the attorney general or the county attorney for the county in which any such relative resides when so requested by the commissioner of health and human services.	null	A parent shall be liable under this section only for assistance provided to a child under the age of 18, or for as long as the department of health and human services has the authority to recover support under Title IV of the Social Security Act.	null
[ "public_charge_limit", "remedy_type", "state" ]	The father and mother of a person under 18 years of age who applies for and is eligible to receive public assistance, and the children, and husband or wife, severally and respectively, of a person who applies for and is eligible to receive public assistance	new-jersey	public assistance only	https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/title-44/section-44-1-140/	44:1-140. Relatives chargeable a. The father and mother of a person under 18 years of age who applies for and is eligible to receive public assistance, and the children, and husband or wife, severally and respectively, of a person who applies for and is eligible to receive public assistance, shall, if of sufficient abi...	New Jersey	44:1-140	a person who applies for and is eligible to receive public assistance	https://referencesource.org/filial-responsibility-laws-by-state/new-jersey/	[ "ability_to_pay_qualifier", "duty_owed_by", "statute_citation", "statutory_defences", "trigger_condition", "who_may_enforce" ]	if of sufficient ability	civil	any county or municipal director of welfare, or by any court of competent jurisdiction upon its own initiative or the information of any person	null	The provisions of this section shall not apply to any person 55 years of age or over except with regard to his or her spouse, or his or her natural or adopted child under the age of 18 years.	null
[ "state" ]	null	north-carolina	null	https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/SessionLaws/HTML/2025-2026/SL2025-70.html	REPEAL FILIAL RESPONSIBILITY CRIME SECTION 16.(a) G.S. 14‑326.1 is repealed. SECTION 16.(b) This section becomes effective July 1, 2025, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.	North Carolina	G.S. 14‑326.1	null	https://referencesource.org/filial-responsibility-laws-by-state/north-carolina/	[ "status", "statute_citation" ]	null	null	null	null	null	SECTION 16.(a) G.S. 14‑326.1 is repealed. SECTION 16.(b) This section becomes effective July 1, 2025, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.
[ "public_charge_limit", "remedy_type", "state" ]	Each parent and every adult child of an adult who is unable to support oneself shall maintain that adult to the extent of the ability of each.	north-dakota	extends beyond public charge	https://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t14c09.pdf	14-09-10. Reciprocal duty of support for health services - Support of poor. 1. Each parent and every adult child of an adult who is unable to support oneself shall maintain that adult to the extent of the ability of each. 2. Except as provided under subsection 3, a creditor may not recover under this duty of support un...	North Dakota	14-09-10	an adult who is unable to support oneself	https://referencesource.org/filial-responsibility-laws-by-state/north-dakota/	[ "ability_to_pay_qualifier", "duty_owed_by", "statute_citation", "statutory_defences", "trigger_condition", "who_may_enforce" ]	to the extent of the ability of each	civil	a creditor may not recover under this duty of support unless the: a. Recovery sought by a creditor is for the furnishing of necessary health services, which may include medical and long-term care services	null	b. Recovery sought is from a parent or adult child who received a direct benefit from a disqualifying transfer of an asset under section 50-06.2-07 or 50-24.1-02; c. Recovery being sought from this parent or adult child does not exceed the fair market value, including any gain, resulting from the disqualifying transfer...	null
[ "public_charge_limit", "remedy_type", "state" ]	No person shall abandon, or fail to provide adequate support to: (1) The person's spouse, as required by law; (2) The person's child who is under age eighteen, or the persons's child with a mental or physical disability who is under age twenty-one; (3) The person's aged or infirm parent or adoptive parent	ohio	not stated	https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2919.21	Section 2919.21 \| Nonsupport or contributing to nonsupport of dependents. Ohio Revised Code / Title 29 Crimes-Procedure / Chapter 2919 Offenses Against the Family Effective: April 6, 2023 Latest Legislation: House Bill 281 - 134th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) No person shall abandon, or fail to ...	Ohio	Section 2919.21	aged or infirm parent or adoptive parent, who from lack of ability and means is unable to provide adequately for the parent's own support	https://referencesource.org/filial-responsibility-laws-by-state/ohio/	[ "ability_to_pay_qualifier", "duty_owed_by", "penalty", "statute_citation", "statutory_defences", "trigger_condition" ]	the accused was unable to provide adequate support or the established support but did provide the support that was within the accused's ability and means	criminal	null	whoever violates division (A) or (B) of this section is guilty of nonsupport of dependents, a misdemeanor of the first degree	It is an affirmative defense to a charge under division (A)(3) of this section that the parent abandoned the accused or failed to support the accused as required by law, while the accused was under age eighteen, or had a mental or physical disability and was under age twenty-one.	null
[ "public_charge_limit", "state" ]	children are bound to maintain their parents in like circumstances	oregon	not stated	https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors109.html	109.010 Duty of support. Parents are bound to maintain their children who are poor and unable to work to maintain themselves; and children are bound to maintain their parents in like circumstances.	Oregon	109.010	poor and unable to work to maintain themselves	https://referencesource.org/filial-responsibility-laws-by-state/oregon/	[ "duty_owed_by", "statute_citation", "trigger_condition" ]	null	null	null	null	null	null
[ "public_charge_limit", "remedy_type", "state" ]	The spouse of the indigent person. (ii) A child of the indigent person. (iii) A parent of the indigent person.	pennsylvania	extends beyond public charge	https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/23/00.046.003.000..HTM	§ 4603. Relatives' liability; procedure. (a) Liability.-- (1) Except as set forth in paragraph (2), all of the following individuals have the responsibility to care for and maintain or financially assist an indigent person, regardless of whether the indigent person is a public charge: (i) The spouse of the indigent per...	Pennsylvania	§ 4603	an indigent person	https://referencesource.org/filial-responsibility-laws-by-state/pennsylvania/	[ "ability_to_pay_qualifier", "duty_owed_by", "penalty", "statute_citation", "statutory_defences", "trigger_condition", "who_may_enforce" ]	If an individual does not have sufficient financial ability to support the indigent person.	civil	an indigent person; or (2) any other person or public body or public agency having any interest in the care, maintenance or assistance of such indigent person	the court may hold the individual in contempt of court and may sentence the individual to up to six months' imprisonment	If an individual does not have sufficient financial ability to support the indigent person. (ii) A child shall not be liable for the support of a parent who abandoned the child and persisted in the abandonment for a period of ten years during the child's minority.	null
[ "public_charge_limit", "remedy_type", "state" ]	Any person, above the age of eighteen (18) years, who unreasonably neglects or refuses to provide for the support and maintenance of his or her parent, whether father or mother, residing in this state	rhode-island	not stated	https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE15/15-10/15-10-1.htm	(a) Any person, above the age of eighteen (18) years, who unreasonably neglects or refuses to provide for the support and maintenance of his or her parent, whether father or mother, residing in this state, when his or her parent through misfortune, and without fault of his or her own, is destitute of means of sustenanc...	Rhode Island	§ 15-10-1	through misfortune, and without fault of his or her own, is destitute of means of sustenance and unable by reason of old age, infirmity, or illness to support and maintain himself or herself	https://referencesource.org/filial-responsibility-laws-by-state/rhode-island/	[ "duty_owed_by", "penalty", "statutory_defences", "trigger_condition" ]	null	criminal	null	a fine not exceeding two hundred dollars ($200), or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by both a fine and imprisonment	No neglect or refusal shall be deemed unreasonable as to a child who, during his or her minority, was not reasonably supported by the parent, if the parent was charged with the duty to do so, nor as to any child who, being one of two (2) or more children, has made proper and reasonable contribution toward the support o...	null
[ "public_charge_limit", "remedy_type", "state" ]	the joint and several duty of all persons eighteen years of age or over, of sufficient earning capacity or income, after reasonably providing for his or her own immediate family, to assist in providing for the support and maintenance of his or her mother or father	virginia	extends beyond public charge	https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title20/chapter5/section20-88/	§ 20-88. Support of parents by children. It shall be the joint and several duty of all persons eighteen years of age or over, of sufficient earning capacity or income, after reasonably providing for his or her own immediate family, to assist in providing for the support and maintenance of his or her mother or father, h...	Virginia	§ 20-88	he or she being then and there in necessitous circumstances	https://referencesource.org/filial-responsibility-laws-by-state/virginia/	[ "ability_to_pay_qualifier", "duty_owed_by", "penalty", "statute_citation", "statutory_defences", "trigger_condition", "who_may_enforce" ]	of sufficient earning capacity or income, after reasonably providing for his or her own immediate family	both	upon the complaint of any party or on its own motion, compel contribution by that person to any person or authority which has theretofore contributed to the support or maintenance of the parent or parents	shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment in jail for a period not exceeding twelve months or both	This section shall not apply if there is substantial evidence of desertion, neglect, abuse or willful failure to support any such child by the father or mother, as the case may be, prior to the child's emancipation or, except as provided hereafter in this section, if a parent is otherwise eligible for and is receiving ...	null
[ "public_charge_limit", "remedy_type", "state" ]	The relatives of an indigent person, who are of sufficient ability, shall be liable to pay the direct cremation or direct burial expenses in the following order: (1) The spouse. (2) The children. (3) The parents. (4) The brothers and sisters.	west-virginia	public assistance only	https://code.wvlegislature.gov/9-5-9/	(d) The relatives of an indigent person, who are of sufficient ability, shall be liable to pay the direct cremation or direct burial expenses in the following order: (1) The spouse. (2) The children. (3) The parents. (4) The brothers and sisters. (e) The department may proceed by motion in the circuit court of the coun...	West Virginia	§9-5-9	an indigent person	https://referencesource.org/filial-responsibility-laws-by-state/west-virginia/	[ "ability_to_pay_qualifier", "duty_owed_by", "statutory_defences", "trigger_condition", "who_may_enforce" ]	who are of sufficient ability	civil	The department may proceed by motion in the circuit court of the county in which the indigent person may be, against one or more of the relatives liable.	null	The liability of the relative of an indigent person for funeral service expenses is limited to the amount paid by the department.	null
[ "public_charge_limit", "remedy_type", "state" ]	The parent and spouse of any dependent person who is unable to maintain himself or herself shall maintain such dependent person, so far as able	wisconsin	public assistance only	https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/49.90	The parent and spouse of any dependent person who is unable to maintain himself or herself shall maintain such dependent person, so far as able, in a manner approved by the authorities having charge of the dependent, or by the board in charge of the institution where such dependent person is; but no parent shall be req...	Wisconsin	49.90	any dependent person who is unable to maintain himself or herself	https://referencesource.org/filial-responsibility-laws-by-state/wisconsin/	[ "ability_to_pay_qualifier", "duty_owed_by", "statute_citation", "statutory_defences", "trigger_condition", "who_may_enforce" ]	if they have sufficient ability, considering their own future maintenance and making reasonable allowance for the protection of the property and investments from which they derive their living and their care and protection in old age	civil	the corporation counsel shall, within 60 days, apply to the circuit court for the county in which the dependent person	null	those persons receiving benefits under federal Title XVI or under s. 49.77 shall not be deemed dependent persons	null

Filial responsibility laws by state — what each statute actually says about an adult child's liability for a parent's care

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Last verified: 2026-08-29
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Records: 22

For each US state, whether a filial support statute is on the books and what it provides: who owes the duty, the condition the parent must be in for it to arise, the ability-to-pay qualifier, whether the remedy is civil or criminal, the penalty the statute names, who may bring the action, and the defences the statute writes in. The distinctions that decide real cases are invisible in every existing list: Pennsylvania's 23 Pa.C.S. § 4603 imposes the duty 'regardless of whether the indigent person is a public charge', which is what let a nursing home sue a son directly; New Jersey's N.J.S.A. 44:1-140 is framed around public assistance; Massachusetts' M.G.L. c.273 § 20 is purely criminal, a $200 fine or a year's imprisonment; California's Fam. Code § 4410-4414 gives a child a court procedure to be relieved of the obligation where the parent abandoned them. Answers 'does [state] have a filial responsibility law', 'can a nursing home sue me for my mother's bill in [state]', and 'what is the abandonment defence in [state]'. This asset reports what statutes say, quoted and cited. It gives no advice about anyone's situation and does not tell a reader what to do.

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State statutes; statutory text and the facts in it are not copyrightable, quoted with citation to the publishing authority. Citation note, checked 2026-10-14: The New Jersey row is cited to law.justia.com rather than to an official state host, because New Jersey does not publish its code anywhere a single section can be fetched at a stable URL — New Jersey's official statutes site, lis.njleg.state.nj.us, is a Folio frameset whose internal document numbers are not stable section addresses. That mirror now sits behind a Cloudflare challenge and returns 403 to everyone, an invented-slug control included, so these rows cannot at present be re-checked against the page they cite. The values were read from those pages when the records were harvested and nothing here has changed them; what is missing is any ongoing check that they are still current.

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