Senate Bill 2611 Summary

• Establishes felonious child abuse when a child tests positive at birth for a controlled substance not prescribed by a physician, making it a criminal offense.

• Mother convicted under this provision faces imprisonment up to 5 years and/or a fine up to $5,000.

• Adds controlled substance exposure at birth to the definition of "abused child" in youth court law, unless the substance was physician-prescribed.

• Allows courts to bypass reasonable efforts requirements to maintain children in their homes when a child tests positive for non-prescribed controlled substances at birth, enabling faster placement in foster care.

• Effective date: July 1, 2024.