Protecting Our Infants Act of 2015

The Protecting Our Infants Act of 2015, also known as Bill 114 hr 1462, is a piece of legislation that aims to address the issue of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in infants born to mothers who have used opioids during pregnancy. NAS occurs when a baby is exposed to drugs in the womb and experiences withdrawal symptoms after birth.

The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a strategy to address NAS, including improving data collection on the prevalence of the syndrome and developing best practices for treating and caring for affected infants. It also authorizes grants to states to improve their monitoring and treatment of NAS, as well as to support research on the long-term effects of prenatal opioid exposure.

Additionally, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on the prevalence of NAS and the effectiveness of current prevention and treatment efforts. It also requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to develop a plan to improve access to treatment for pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorders. Overall, the Protecting Our Infants Act of 2015 aims to improve the care and treatment of infants affected by NAS, as well as to support efforts to prevent opioid use during pregnancy.