SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   ESHB 2364

                            AS OF FEBRUARY 19, 1992

Brief Description:  Family planning services for substance abusers.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives H. Sommers, Franklin, Moyer, Leonard, Prentice, Morris, Brough, Rust, Miller, Braddock, Dellwo, Winsley, Spanel, Mitchell, Rayburn, R. Johnson, Cooper, Locke, Paris, G. Cole, J. Kohl, Ludwig, Brekke, Ogden, Haugen, Valle and Anderson)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

Staff:  Mich'l Prentice‑Needham (786‑7439)

Hearing Dates: February 20, 1992

BACKGROUND:

The estimates of drug-exposed infants born to women in the general population range from 4 percent to 20 percent, while the estimates for drug-exposed infants born to low-income women range from 10 percent to 50 percent.   The economic cost of caring for drug-exposed infants is extensive.  Initial hospital costs range from $24,000 to $30,000 per baby compared to approximately $1,000 for a healthy birth.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Health and the Department of Social and Health Services are required to jointly develop a curriculum and training format for substance abuse counselors and community service staff.  Chemical dependency treatment programs and family planning agencies shall be consulted. 

The curriculum and training will include:  information on the risks of prenatal exposure to alcohol or drugs; a review of available birth control methods; and information about referrals to family planning clinics.

Substance abuse counselors employed by state-approved chemical dependency treatment programs and community service staff are required to receive the training after January 1, 1993, and to discuss prenatal drug exposure and family planning issues with their clients.  The Department of Health shall track the referrals to family planning services.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested January 24, 1992