[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 129, 114th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


Public Law 114-91
114th Congress

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).

[[Page 724]]

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;

[[Page 725]]

(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.

Approved November 25, 2015.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 799 (H.R. 1462):
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HOUSE REPORTS: No. 114-244 (Comm. on Energy and Commerce) accompanying
H.R. 1462.
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 161 (2015):
Oct. 22, considered and passed Senate.
Nov. 16, considered and passed House.