Resolve, Relating to the Prevention and Management of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Sec. 1. Prevention and management of neonatal abstinence syndrome. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services shall develop recommendations for measures related to the prevention and management of neonatal abstinence syndrome. The measures must be designed to:

1. Promote the health and well-being of mothers and infants and prevent or minimize neonatal abstinence syndrome;

2. Improve access to family planning services and contraceptive management in order to prevent unplanned pregnancies in women with substance use disorder; and

3. Create targeted treatment programs for antepartum and postpartum women with substance use disorder. The targeted treatment must focus on multidisciplinary treatment, education and access to community resources and support.

For the purposes of this resolve, "neonatal abstinence syndrome" means a collection of withdrawal symptoms experienced by newborns and infants after exposure in utero to substances such as opioids and cocaine, benzodiazepines and other narcotics.

Sec. 2. Report; authority to submit a bill. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services shall submit its recommendations developed under section 1 to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services by December 4, 2019, and the committee may submit a bill related to the recommendations to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.

SUMMARY

This resolve requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop recommendations for measures related to the prevention and management of neonatal abstinence syndrome.