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PA HR78

Resolution

Status

Introduced

2/20/2025

Primary Sponsor

Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz

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Origin

House of Representatives

2025-2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Joint State Government Commission directed to establish an advisory committee and conduct a comprehensive study on Pennsylvania's approach to infants born affected by prenatal substance exposure, withdrawal symptoms, or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

  • Advisory committee membership includes representatives from Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, Department of Health, Department of Human Services, Center for Rural Pennsylvania, Center for Children's Justice, Behavioral Health Council, Pennsylvania Perinatal Quality Collaborative, a parent with substance use disorder treatment experience, and county Children and Youth Services

  • Study must evaluate challenges families face with plans of safe care, gather feedback from health care and child welfare professionals, assess tracking of infant outcomes across early intervention and Medicaid systems, and analyze costs of identification and notification processes

  • In 2022, over 1,200 infants met the Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome case definition with 90% linked to opioid exposure; substance-affected infants account for approximately 60% of all general protective service referrals involving infants

  • Final report with findings due to the House of Representatives within 18 months of resolution adoption

Legislative Description

Directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish an advisory committee and conduct a comprehensive study regarding the effectiveness of the Commonwealth's multidisciplinary approach to infants born affected by substance use or withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug exposure or a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, including the success with or barriers to developing plans of safe care as required by Federal and State law.

Last Action

Referred to Human Services

2/20/2025

Committee Referrals

Human Services2/20/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available