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               ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5416

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State of Washington      57th Legislature     2001 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Patterson, Stevens, Long, Hargrove, Rossi, Winsley, McAuliffe and Rasmussen)

READ FIRST TIME 02/01/01.

Requiring screening of pregnant and lactating women for nonprescription use of controlled substances.   

    AN ACT Relating to drug-affected infants; amending RCW 70.83E.020; and adding a new section to chapter 70.83E RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 70.83E RCW to be codified between RCW 70.83E.010 and 70.83E.020 to read as follows:

    In an effort to reduce the harmful effects of drug-affected infants:

    (1) A woman's primary health care provider shall screen a pregnant or lactating woman for nonprescription use of controlled substances.  Screening criteria may include, but is not limited to, the criteria developed by the department of health pursuant to chapter 70.83E RCW.

    (2) Health care providers shall:

    (a) Screen pregnant women for nonprescription use of controlled substances if they seek medical attention at the time of delivery and indicate that they have received little or no prenatal health care.  Screening criteria may include, but is not limited to, the criteria developed by the department of health pursuant to chapter 70.83E RCW; and

    (b) Convey to the infant's primary health care provider screening findings that would suggest the need for testing of the infant, or conduct the testing.

    (3) This section does not apply to drug-affected infants born before the effective date of this act.

    Sec. 2.  RCW 70.83E.020 and 1998 c 93 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

    The department of health, in consultation with appropriate medical professionals, shall develop screening criteria for use in identifying pregnant or lactating women addicted to drugs or alcohol who are at risk of producing a drug-affected ((baby)) infant.  The department shall also develop training protocols for medical professionals related to the identification and screening of women at risk of producing a drug-affected ((baby)) infant.

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