§ 63-1-546.1. Short title – Legislative findings.

A.  Sections 1 through 5 of this act shall be known and may be cited as the "Oklahoma Prenatal Addiction Act."

B.  It is the finding of the Oklahoma Legislature that the state has a substantial interest in protecting children from the harm that results from the abuse of drugs or alcohol by their mothers during pregnancy, both for the sake of the child and because of the potential cost to the state in providing medical and other care to such children.  The Legislature recognizes that the preferable and most effective means of preventing birth defects and health problems due to substance abuse by pregnant women is to provide readily available and accessible prenatal care and appropriate substance abuse treatment services, but further recognizes that in some instances it may be necessary to use the authority of the state to intervene for the purpose of preserving and protecting the health and well-being of the child.

Added by Laws 2000, c. 301, § 1, emerg. eff. June 5, 2000.