HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3093        FILED ON: 2/18/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 221

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Sean Garballey

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to support families.

_______________

PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3093        FILED ON: 2/18/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 221

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

_______________

An Act to support families.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Section 51A of chapter 119 of the general laws is hereby amended in subsection (a) in the first paragraph by striking out the words:-

(iii) physical dependence upon an addictive drug at birth,

SECTION 2. Said section 51A is hereby further amended by inserting in subsection (a) after the second paragraph a new subsection:

(a ½) Separate from the reporting requirements under subsection (a), health care providers involved in the delivery or care of infants affected by in-utero substance exposure or a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum disorder, shall notify the Department of such condition in such infants as required under 42 U.S.C. § 1506a(b)(2)(B)(ii). Such notification shall not include the names or identifying information of the parents or the infant, shall not constitute a report that any parent has abused or neglected a child, and shall not trigger or require prosecution for any illegal action.