Three years after Colorado changed the law so that doctors no longer had to report newborns testing positive for drugs as possible child abuse victims, the number of families referred to child protective services is down, but hospitals are still learning how best to support mothers battling addiction.
In 2020, the legislature narrowed the definition of child abuse via drug exposure, so providers only need to report if the child suffered negative effects from drug use and their guardians might not be able to meet their basic needs.
In 2020, the legislature narrowed the definition of child abuse via drug exposure, so providers only need to report if the child suffered negative effects from drug use and their guardians might not be able to meet their basic needs.