SB 5278-S - DIGEST

(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 3RD SUB)

     Finds that all children have the right to be born healthy and free of the consequences of the nonprescription use of controlled substances by the mother during pregnancy.  Individuals who have a drug addiction are unable to make reasoned decisions that help ensure the birth of a healthy infant.  The availability of long-term pharmaceutical birth control, when combined with other treatment regimens, may allow women to regain control of their lives and make long-term decisions in the best interest of themselves and their children.

     Finds that a third or subsequent drug-affected infant being born to the same mother means it is unreasonable to attempt to continue efforts to reunify the family and that all reasonable reunification efforts that have previously been made have proven futile and there is no likelihood that future efforts will produce a different outcome.