#aadth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #gii ,,an ,,act ,to address problems related to prenatal opioid use4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,protecting ,our ,infants ,act of #bjae4 #b4 ,addressing problems related to prenatal opioid use 7a7 ,review of programs ,the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services 7referred to in this ,act as the ,secretary7 shall conduct a review of planning and coordination related to prenatal opioid use1 including neonatal abstinence syndrome1 within the agencies of the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services4 7b7 ,strategy ,in carrying out subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall develop a strategy to address gaps in research and gaps1 overlap1 and duplication among ,federal programs1 including those identified in findings made by reports of the ,government ,accountability ,office4 ,such strategy shall address-- 7#a7 gaps in research1 including with respect to-- 7,a7 the most appropriate treatment of pregnant women with opioid use disorders2 7,b7 the most appropriate treatment and management of infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome2 and 7,c7 the long-term effects of prenatal opioid exposure on children2 7#b7 gaps1 overlap1 or duplication in-- 7,a7 substance use disorder treatment programs for pregnant and postpartum women2 and 7,b7 treatment program options for newborns with neonatal abstinence syndrome2 7#c7 gaps1 overlap1 or duplication in ,federal efforts related to education about1 and prevention of1 neonatal abstinence syndrome2 and 7#d7 coordination of ,federal efforts to address neonatal abstinence syndrome4 7c7 ,report ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 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 7a7 and the strategy developed under subsection 7b74 #c4 ,developing recommendations for preventing and treating prenatal opioid use disorders 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall conduct a study and develop recommendations for preventing and treating prenatal opioid use disorders1 including the effects of such disorders on infants4 ,in carrying out this subsection the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 take into consideration-- 7,a7 the review and strategy conducted and developed under section #b2 and 7,b7 the lessons learned from previous opioid epidemics2 and 7#b7 solicit input from ,states1 localities1 and ,federally recognized ,indian tribes or tribal organizations 7as defined in the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #dej;b771 and nongovernmental entities1 including organizations representing patients1 health care providers1 hospitals1 other treatment facilities1 and other entities1 as appropriate4 7b7 ,report ,not later than #ah months after the date of enactment of this ,act1 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 7a74 ,such report shall address each of the issues described in subsection 7c74 7c7 ,contents ,the recommendations described in subsection 7a7 and the report under subsection 7b7 shall include-- 7#a7 a comprehensive assessment of existing research with respect to the prevention1 identification1 treatment1 and long-term outcomes of neonatal abstinence syndrome1 including the identification and treatment of pregnant women or women who may become pregnant who use opioids or have opioid use disorders2 7#b7 an evaluation of-- 7,a7 the causes of1 and risk factors for1 opioid use disorders among women of reproductive age1 including pregnant women2 7,b7 the barriers to identifying and treating opioid use disorders among women of reproductive age1 including pregnant and postpartum women and women with young children2 7,c7 current practices in the health care system to respond to1 and treat1 pregnant women with opioid use disorders and infants affected by such disorders2 7,d7 medically indicated uses of opioids during pregnancy2 7,e7 access to treatment for opioid use disorders in pregnant and postpartum women2 and 7,f7 access to treatment for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome2 and 7,g7 differences in prenatal opioid use and use disorders in pregnant women between demographic groups2 and 7#c7 recommendations on-- 7,a7 preventing1 identifying1 and treating the effects of prenatal opioid use on infants2 7,b7 treating pregnant women who have opioid use disorders2 7,c7 preventing opioid use disorders among women of reproductive age1 including pregnant women1 who may be at risk of developing opioid use disorders2 and 7,d7 reducing disparities in opioid use disorders among pregnant women4 #d4 ,improving data and the public health response ,the ,secretary may continue activities1 as appropriate1 related to-- 7#a7 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 quality1 consistency1 and collection of such data2 and 7#b7 providing technical assistance to support ,states in implementing effective public health measures1 such as disseminating information to educate the public1 health care providers1 and other stakeholders on prenatal opioid use and neonatal abstinence syndrome4 ,passed the ,senate ,october #bb1 #bjae4,secretary