Amendment #110 to H4617

Study into the long-term developmental and health effects of Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS)

Representatives Muratore of Plymouth, Haddad of Somerset, Jones of North Reading, Ashe of Longmeadow, Crocker of Barnstable, Cutler of Duxbury, Gifford of Wareham, Poirier of North Attleborough, Whipps of Athol, Garry of Dracut, Whelan of Brewster, González of Springfield, Orrall of Lakeville, Kane of Shrewsbury, Howitt of Seekonk, Berthiaume of Spencer and Hill of Ipswich move to amend the bill by adding the following sections:-

“SECTION XX. Notwithstanding section 6D of chapter 29 of the General Laws, to provide for a comprehensive, multi-year study into the long-term developmental and health effects of Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS), otherwise known as Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), on children, the sum set forth in section XY is hereby appropriated from the General Fund.

SECTION XY.

The Department of Public Health

XXXX- XXXX   For the Boston Medical Center to conduct a comprehensive, multi-year study into the long-term developmental and health effects of Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS), otherwise known as Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), on children, provided that the study shall include an examination of not less than 200 infants who are opioid-exposed in-utero to be monitored and evaluated throughout their childhood, including, but not limited to: (1) the performance of a NICU Neurobehavioral Scale test within 2 weeks of the birth; (2) an examination of predictors of infant attachment patterns at 12 months;  (3) an examination of maternal retention in addiction treatment and relapses, maternal adherence to primary and subspecialty care and child custody status; (4) tracking of emergency room visits, hospital re-admissions, Early Intervention utilization, and adherence to primary and subspecialty care visits such as Hepatitis C care; (5) an examination of other infant health outcomes throughout childhood such as growth, behavioral and attentional issues, and school performance; (6) an assessment of the readiness to begin kindergarten as well as needed special education services; and (7) an assessment of high risk behaviors beginning into middle childhood, including initiation of substance use………………………………………………………………………………………………………………$1,000,000.”