HI HR187

Urges the Departments of Health and Human Services to adopt the Canadian diagnostic guideline for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal in 2016.

Recommends considering developmental and physical defects or impairment when making referrals for suspected prenatal alcohol exposure, rather than focusing solely on physical features at birth or within the first year.

Directs departments to confirm suspected prenatal alcohol exposure through multiple methods as recommended by the Canadian guideline, rather than relying only on maternal confirmation.

Calls for modifying the definition of severe impairment from three standard deviations below the mean to two standard deviations to expand eligibility for services.

Urges elimination of the standard deviations requirement related to a child's intelligence quotient to ensure more infants and children can access needed services.