HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 56 FILED ON: 1/7/2021
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 226
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Patricia A. Haddad
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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 relative to early intervention services for children with prenatal exposure to opioids.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: | Date Added: |
Patricia A. Haddad | 5th Bristol | 1/7/2021 |
Michael J. Barrett | Third Middlesex | 3/3/2021 |
Christopher Hendricks | 11th Bristol | 3/3/2021 |
Hannah Kane | 11th Worcester | 3/15/2021 |
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 56 FILED ON: 1/7/2021
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 226
By Mrs. Haddad of Somerset, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 226) of Patricia A. Haddad and others relative to access to early intervention services for children with prenatal exposure to opioids. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. |
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 126 OF 2019-2020.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)
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An Act relative to early intervention services for children with prenatal exposure to opioids.
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 of Chapter 111G of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting at the end thereof the following definitions:-
"Substance-Exposed Newborn", a newborn who was exposed to alcohol or other drugs ingested by the mother in utero, whether or not this exposure is detected at birth through a drug screen or withdrawal symptoms.
"Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome", symptoms and signs exhibited by a newborn due to drug withdrawal, the term used to represent the pattern of effects that are associated with opioid withdrawal in newborns.
Section 2 of Chapter 111G of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting at the end thereof the following paragraph:-
The department shall review and revise the early intervention operational standards to ensure that children under the age of 3, who are diagnosed with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome and children under the age of 3, who meet the definition of substance-exposed newborns, are deemed categorically eligible for early intervention services until the child's third birthday.