Casey, Bipartisan Senate Partners Introduce Bill To Protect Drug-Dependent Infants Clears Committee Unanimously

Statement

Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Susan Collins (R-ME) announced that their legislation, the Plan of Safe Care Improvement Act, passed the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee unanimously. This bipartisan bill would increase states' accountability, improve compliance with federal policy designed to protect infants affected by substance abuse, and save the lives of vulnerable infants whose mothers used opioids during pregnancy.

"Across the nation we are currently facing an epidemic of opioid abuse. Every 19 minutes, an infant is born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, and they are the most vulnerable victims of this epidemic," Senator Casey said. "This legislation is an important step in ensuring these children are protected. I am grateful for the committee's support and look forward to continuing our work on this important issue."

"In the United States, a baby dependent on opioids is born every 19 minutes. In my home state of Utah, 600 infants a year are at risk of hospitalization because of serious opioid dependency. States are often not aware of all drug-exposed babies born, and parents often feel that they do not get the support they need to care for their new child. Improving the care policies responsible for protecting this vulnerable population is crucial in beginning to undo the havoc wreaked on families by opiate dependency. This legislation will strengthen the safeguards for infants born and identified as being affected by substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms, and will make a real difference in Utah and around the country."

"It's imperative that health care providers immediately have a plan in place when a newborn is suffering from withdrawal from opioids or alcohol," Senator Bennet said. "This is a bipartisan effort to ensure that there is a plan for each and every one of these babies and that they receive the care they need to grow into happy and healthy kids."

The legislation would further strengthen the existing Plan of Safe Care requirement in the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) by requiring states to put in place policies and procedures that require the development of a plan of safe care for each infant affected by substance abuse or withdrawal. States would also have to implement monitoring systems to ensure that infants are protected by the plans of safe care, and report annually on the number of infants identified as affected by substance abuse or withdrawal, and how many of those infants received plans of safe care. Finally, the Department of Health and Human Services would be tasked with developing guidance and information on best practices for states on how to implement plans of safe care.

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