The bill amends the Child Protection Law to enhance reporting requirements for suspected child abuse or neglect concerning newborn infants affected by substances. It stipulates that if a newborn is found to have any amount of alcohol, controlled substances, or their metabolites in their body, individuals mandated to report such cases must notify the department in a prescribed manner. The department is then responsible for developing a plan of safe care for the infant and their parents, ensuring that services are provided during and after pregnancy. Additionally, the bill clarifies that notifications must be made even if the substances are a result of medical treatment given to the birth parent.

Furthermore, the bill outlines specific conditions under which reports must be made and when they are not required. Reports are mandated if the newborn's health or welfare is threatened by the parent's substance abuse, but not if the report is solely based on the presence of substances without additional concerns for the infant's welfare. It also specifies that no report is necessary if the substances in the newborn are known to be a result of medical treatment administered to the birth parent. This legislation aims to ensure the safety and well-being of newborns while balancing the need for appropriate reporting and intervention.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 722.623