Senate Enrolled Act No. 408 Summary

• Defines "Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome" (NAS) as adverse effects occurring in newborn infants exposed to addictive illegal or prescription drugs in the womb.

• Requires the state department to meet with representatives from six medical associations (Hospital Association, Perinatal Network, State Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and March of Dimes) to study and make recommendations on NAS issues.

• Mandates the state department submit a report to the legislative council by November 1, 2014 addressing standard clinical definitions, uniform identification processes, education resources, data reporting options, and payment methodologies for NAS identification and reporting.

• Authorizes the state department to establish one or more pilot programs with consenting hospitals by June 1, 2015 to implement models for NAS identification, data collection, and reporting.

• Declares an emergency for the act.