As I said. I think that this is to ensure that child protective services have a fixed guideline to work with. If the definition of neglect is specific you have a better chance of the law being applied equally to all.

They don’t need to be involved at all. Getting coffee with a friend at 10pm on a Friday when you are 16 is not “parental neglect”. Anyone who thinks that the law should get involved with that has so much wrong with their worldview it is almost impossible to unpack. It is not a healthy outlook. And it hurts kids.

So having a unreasonable fixed guideline, that if consistently applied causes CPS intervention in many totally fine situations, is better?

I didn't say it was. I've merely speculated on why this particular law is in place.