HB 1697-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

     Directs the department of social and health services to operate four pilot projects in communities served by the parent and child assistance program to provide services to drug-addicted women who give birth to drug-addicted infants.

     Provides that, upon the first referral of a woman addicted to controlled substances who has given birth to a drug-addicted baby, the designated chemical dependency specialist in a pilot site shall:  (1) Initiate the procedures under this act to require the mother to participate in chemical dependency treatment, counseling, and support services, modeled after the successful six-year demonstration birth-to-three program at the University of Washington; and

     (2) notify the mother of the opportunity for voluntary, publicly funded tubal ligation surgery as provided under this act.

     The department shall make available, or cause to be made available, birth control services, information, and counseling to a mother referred under this provision.

     Declares that, upon the second, and any subsequent, referral of a woman addicted to controlled substances who has given birth to a drug-addicted baby, the designated chemical dependency specialist shall notify the mother of the opportunity for voluntary, publicly funded tubal ligation surgery as provided under this act.  The designated chemical dependency specialist in a pilot site shall initiate the procedures under this act to:  (1) Require the mother to participate in chemical dependency treatment, counseling, and support services; and

     (2) require the mother to participate in mandatory long-term pharmaceutical birth control and related education and counseling unless a physician makes a written finding that, based on an evaluation of the medical and physical consequences to the mother, long-term pharmaceutical birth control would be medically harmful to the mother.

     Designates procedures to file a petition with the superior or district court related to the woman's participation in chemical dependency treatment, counseling, and support services and the use of long-term pharmaceutical birth control.