South Carolina Bill Requiring Reporting When an Infant or Fetus is Exposed to a Controlled Substance (H 3823)

H 3823 would require every physician, nurse, or any other medical or allied health professional to report to the department:

• a child birth to one year who is diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome or a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder;
• a child birth to one year who is affected by the presence of alcohol or a nonprescribed controlled substance or illegal substance or by withdrawal from alcohol or a controlled or illegal substance; or
• a pregnant individual who has been diagnosed with an alcohol or other substance use disorder where the individual is not cooperating with an established treatment plan.

The bill requires a report to be made regardless of whether or not the alcohol or substance exposure constitutes child abuse or neglect.

The bill would require every physician, nurse, or medical or allied health professional who submits such a report to provide information to assist the department in the development of a plan of “safe care for the child and his family or caregiver.”

Related Legislation

Companion bill to S 447.

STATUS

Passed the house on April 4, 2017, by a 102-0 vote.

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