The proposed bill aims to enhance the care and support for infants born exposed to harmful substances by establishing pediatric transitional care facilities in Washington State. It recognizes the unique medical and nonmedical needs of these infants, particularly those suffering from neonatal abstinence syndrome, and emphasizes the importance of bonding and attachment between substance-exposed infants and their parents. The bill encourages alternatives to prolonged hospitalization by promoting a pilot project that has shown success in providing a nurturing environment for both infants and their families. It also outlines the need for a bundled funding model to support these facilities, utilizing existing federal and state resources.

Key provisions of the bill include the requirement for the health care authority to develop a state plan amendment for facility-based payments to residential pediatric recovery centers by July 1, 2027, and to provide grant funds to the pilot project facility until the funding model is implemented. Additionally, the bill mandates the development of a bundled funding model for nonmedical maternal and child health services, which will include caregiver education, family support services, and discharge planning. The bill also amends existing laws to redefine pediatric transitional care services, ensuring they encompass both medical and nonmedical support for substance-exposed infants and their families, while establishing new requirements for facilities providing these services.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 71.12.455, 71.12.680, 71.12.684, 71.12.686