§557. Other defenses

For the purposes of this chapter, a person who in good faith provides treatment for a child or dependent person by spiritual means through prayer alone may not for that reason alone be deemed determined to have knowingly endangered the welfare of that child or dependent person.

Sec. 4. 22 MRSA §4002, sub-§6, ¶B, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 733, §18, is amended to read:

B. Deprivation of adequate food, clothing, shelter, supervision or care, including health care when that deprivation causes a threat of serious harm;

Sec. 5. 22 MRSA §4002, sub-§6, ¶B-1 is enacted to read:

B-1.__Deprivation of necessary health care when the deprivation places the child in danger of serious harm;

Sec. 6. 22 MRSA §4013, as amended by PL 1983, c. 343, §2, is repealed.