§ 13-3618 — Construction and effect of chapter

A. The provisions of sections 13-3612 through 13-3618 shall be liberally construed in favor of the state for the protection of the child from neglect or omission of parental duty toward the child, and also to protect children of the state from the effects of the improper conduct, acts or bad example of any person which may be calculated to cause, encourage or contribute to, the dependency or delinquency of children, although such person is in no way related to the child.

B. Nothing in sections 13-3612 through 13-3618 shall be construed to be in conflict with, repeal or prevent proceedings under any law of this state which may otherwise define any specific conduct of a person as a crime which might also constitute contributory dependency, or to prevent or interfere with proceedings upon any such law.

C. The provisions of sections 13-3612 through 13-3618 shall not be construed to be inconsistent with or to repeal any law providing for the support by the parent or parents of their minor children, or any law providing for punishment of cruelty to children, or taking of indecent liberties with, or selling liquor, tobacco or firearms to children, or permitting them to be in evil or disreputable places, and nothing in any such laws or similar laws shall be construed to be inconsistent with or to repeal the provisions of this chapter relating to contributing to the dependency or delinquency of a child, or prevent proceedings under this chapter.