[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 799 Engrossed in Senate (ES)]
<DOC>
114th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 799
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To address problems related to prenatal opioid use.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Protecting Our Infants Act of
2015''.
SEC. 2. ADDRESSING PROBLEMS RELATED TO PRENATAL OPIOID USE.
(a) Review of Programs.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services
(referred to in this Act as the ``Secretary'') shall conduct a review
of planning and coordination related to prenatal opioid use, including
neonatal abstinence syndrome, within the agencies of the Department of
Health and Human Services.
(b) Strategy.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall
develop a strategy to address gaps in research and gaps, overlap, and
duplication among Federal programs, including those identified in
findings made by reports of the Government Accountability Office. Such
strategy shall address--
(1) gaps in research, including with respect to--
(A) the most appropriate treatment of pregnant
women with opioid use disorders;
(B) the most appropriate treatment and management
of infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome; and
(C) the long-term effects of prenatal opioid
exposure on children;
(2) gaps, overlap, or duplication in--
(A) substance use disorder treatment programs for
pregnant and postpartum women; and
(B) treatment program options for newborns with
neonatal abstinence syndrome;
(3) gaps, overlap, or duplication in Federal efforts
related to education about, and prevention of, neonatal
abstinence syndrome; and
(4) coordination of Federal efforts to address neonatal
abstinence syndrome.
(c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on
Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report concerning
the findings of the review conducted under subsection (a) and the
strategy developed under subsection (b).
SEC. 3. DEVELOPING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PREVENTING AND TREATING PRENATAL
OPIOID USE DISORDERS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct a study and develop
recommendations for preventing and treating prenatal opioid use
disorders, including the effects of such disorders on infants. In
carrying out this subsection the Secretary shall--
(1) take into consideration--
(A) the review and strategy conducted and developed
under section 2; and
(B) the lessons learned from previous opioid
epidemics; and
(2) solicit input from States, localities, and Federally
recognized Indian tribes or tribal organizations (as defined in
the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25
U.S.C. 450b)), and nongovernmental entities, including
organizations representing patients, health care providers,
hospitals, other treatment facilities, and other entities, as
appropriate.
(b) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall make available on the appropriate
Internet Website of the Department of Health and Human Services a
report on the recommendations under subsection (a). Such report shall
address each of the issues described in subsection (c).
(c) Contents.--The recommendations described in subsection (a) and
the report under subsection (b) shall include--
(1) a comprehensive assessment of existing research with
respect to the prevention, identification, treatment, and long-
term outcomes of neonatal abstinence syndrome, including the
identification and treatment of pregnant women or women who may
become pregnant who use opioids or have opioid use disorders;
(2) an evaluation of--
(A) the causes of, and risk factors for, opioid use
disorders among women of reproductive age, including
pregnant women;
(B) the barriers to identifying and treating opioid
use disorders among women of reproductive age,
including pregnant and postpartum women and women with
young children;
(C) current practices in the health care system to
respond to, and treat, pregnant women with opioid use
disorders and infants affected by such disorders;
(D) medically indicated uses of opioids during
pregnancy;
(E) access to treatment for opioid use disorders in
pregnant and postpartum women; and
(F) access to treatment for infants with neonatal
abstinence syndrome; and
(G) differences in prenatal opioid use and use
disorders in pregnant women between demographic groups;
and
(3) recommendations on--
(A) preventing, identifying, and treating the
effects of prenatal opioid use on infants;
(B) treating pregnant women who have opioid use
disorders;
(C) preventing opioid use disorders among women of
reproductive age, including pregnant women, who may be
at risk of developing opioid use disorders; and
(D) reducing disparities in opioid use disorders
among pregnant women.
SEC. 4. IMPROVING DATA AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE.
The Secretary may continue activities, as appropriate, related to--
(1) providing technical assistance to support States and
Federally recognized Indian Tribes in collecting information on
neonatal abstinence syndrome through the utilization of
existing surveillance systems and collaborating with States and
Federally recognized Indian Tribes to improve the quality,
consistency, and collection of such data; and
(2) providing technical assistance to support States in
implementing effective public health measures, such as
disseminating information to educate the public, health care
providers, and other stakeholders on prenatal opioid use and
neonatal abstinence syndrome.
Passed the Senate October 22, 2015.
Attest:
Secretary.
114th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 799
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To address problems related to prenatal opioid use.