Legal Significance for Child Abuse/Child Neglect

California allows for a positive toxicology test at the time of the delivery of a child. The positive toxicology "is not in and of itself a sufficient basis for reporting child abuse or neglect." The test may, however, be used for an assessment of services for the child. Cal. Penal Code § 11165.13.

Although Colorado's definition of child abuse and neglect does not include prenatal alcohol exposure, as of July 1, 2004, a child may be taken into temporary custody by a law enforcement officer without order of the court, "when a newborn child is identified by a physician, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or physician's assistant engaged in the admission, care, or treatment of patients as being affected by substance abuse or demonstrating withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug exposure." Colo. Rev. Stat. § 19-3-401.

In general, all laws enacted during a regular session of the Louisiana legislature take effect on August 15th of the calendar year in which the regular session is held; however, any bill may specify an earlier or later effective date. 2007 La. Acts 396 states that this provision will not become effective until the legislature appropriates sufficient funds for such purposes. APIS is unable to determine whether this condition has been met.

Beginning on October 1, 2018, a health care provider's notification to the Department of Human Services and any transmittal to a county agency that a child was born affected by (1) substance use or withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug exposure or (2) a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder shall not constitute a child abuse report. 23 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6386.