HB2530 is a bill that amends current Arizona law regarding the handling of substance use by pregnant women. The bill requires the Department of Child Safety (DCS) to provide contact information for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) to callers reporting substance use by pregnant women and, if possible, transfer the call to AHCCCS for referral to substance use treatment. It also mandates that licensed or certified health care professionals refer pregnant women using alcohol or dangerous drugs to substance use services and support, with the woman's consent, to ensure the safety of both the mother and infant.

The bill prohibits the initiation of an abuse or neglect investigation solely based on the receipt of communication involving a pregnant woman's substance use and prevents the DCS from maintaining records of such communication. It adds that proof of a mother's referral to and participation in substance use treatment can be considered a mitigating factor in determining neglect. The bill also specifies that prenatal clinical indicators or a woman's history of substance use or participation in substance use services cannot alone be the basis for a mandatory report of suspected neglect upon the birth of the child. The bill was vetoed by the Governor, who expressed concerns about expanding the role of DCS in matters that should be between a pregnant person and medical professionals, and the need for community conversations on policy governing mandated reporting and hotline procedures.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 8-455, 8-818, 8-819, 8-882, 13-3620, 36-701, 8-456, 8-471, 8-458, 13-3401, 8-884, 36-2281, 13-1404, 13-1405, 8-201, 13-3623, 13-3506.01, 13-3019, 13-3212, 13-3608, 13-1214
House Engrossed Version: 8-455, 8-818, 8-819, 13-3620, 36-2930.07, 8-456, 8-471, 8-458, 13-3401, 36-2281, 13-1404, 13-1405, 8-201, 13-3623, 13-3506.01, 13-3019, 13-3212, 13-3608, 13-1214
Senate Engrossed Version: 8-455, 8-818, 8-819, 13-3620, 36-2930.07, 8-456, 8-471, 8-458, 13-3401, 36-2281, 13-1404, 13-1405, 8-201, 13-3623, 13-3506.01, 13-3019, 13-3212, 13-3608, 13-1214