The proposed bill, titled "An Act relative to early intervention services for children with prenatal exposure to opioids," aims to enhance support for young children affected by prenatal substance exposure. It introduces new definitions into Chapter 111G of the General Laws, specifically defining "Substance-Exposed Newborn" as a newborn exposed to drugs or alcohol in utero, regardless of whether this exposure is identified at birth, and "Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome" as the withdrawal symptoms exhibited by newborns due to drug exposure.

Additionally, the bill mandates the Department to review and revise early intervention operational standards to ensure that children under the age of three diagnosed with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, as well as those classified as substance-exposed newborns, are automatically eligible for early intervention services until they reach their third birthday. This legislative change aims to provide timely and necessary support to vulnerable children and their families.

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