Protecting Our Infants Act of 2015

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Protecting Our Infants Act of 2015

(Sec. 3) This bill requires the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to report on prenatal opioid abuse and neonatal abstinence syndrome (symptoms of withdrawal in a newborn). (An opioid is a drug with effects similar to opium, such as heroin or certain pain medications.) The report must include:

• an assessment of existing research on neonatal abstinence syndrome;
• an evaluation of the causes, and barriers to treatment, of opioid use disorders among women of reproductive age;
• an evaluation of treatment for pregnant women with opioid use disorders and infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome; and
• recommendations on preventing, identifying, and treating opioid dependency in women and neonatal abstinence syndrome.

(Sec. 4) The Department of Health and Human Services must review its activities related to prenatal opioid use and neonatal abstinence syndrome and develop a strategy to address gaps in research and programs.

(Sec. 5) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must provide technical assistance to states to improve neonatal abstinence syndrome surveillance and make surveillance data publicly available.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov