Bill 3864

                    Current Status

Bill Number:                       3864
Type of Legislation:               Concurrent Resolution CR
Introducing Body:                  House
Introduced Date:                   19970409
Primary Sponsor:                   Wilkins
All Sponsors:                      Wilkins and Harrison 
Drafted Document Number:           psd\7225ac.97
Residing Body:                     House
Current Committee:                 Judiciary Committee 25 HJ
Subject:                           Drug Impaired Infants and their
                                   Mothers Study Committee, Minors,
                                   Narcotics and Drugs, Medical

Body    Date      Action Description                       Com     Leg Involved
______  ________  _______________________________________  _______ ____________
House   19970409  Introduced, referred to Committee        25 HJ

TO ESTABLISH A STUDY COMMITTEE TO FORMULATE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO CONSIDER FOR FUTURE LEGISLATION CONCERNING DRUG IMPAIRED INFANTS AND THE TREATMENT METHODS, COMMITMENT PROCEDURES, AND THE PROSECUTION OF MOTHERS OF DRUG IMPAIRED INFANTS, AND ALL OTHER RELATED ISSUES CONCERNING DRUG IMPAIRED INFANTS AND THEIR MOTHERS.

Whereas, it is estimated that one out of every ten babies born in the United States is exposed to cocaine in the womb; and

Whereas, the cost of delivery of a "crack baby" can cost $750,000 or more; and

Whereas, according to the General Accounting Office, one crack baby can result in a lifetime cost of $1 million dollars in medical and educational needs; and

Whereas, these issues require further study to develop a comprehensive approach. Now therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That a study committee be appointed to study the treatment, commitment, and prosecution of mothers of drug impaired infants and related issues, including, but not limited to, a review of Title 44 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, and propose a comprehensive approach to this problem. The committee is composed of the Attorney General, the head of the prosecution section of the Attorney General's Office, the president of the South Carolina Solicitors' Association, the president of the South Carolina Medical Association, the president of the South Carolina Hospital Association, the president of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers' Association, one member of the Senate Judiciary Committee appointed by the President Pro Tempore, one member of the House Judiciary Committee appointed by the speaker, one member of the Senate Medical Affairs Committee appointed by the President Pro Tempore, one member of the House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee appointed by the Speaker, the director of the Department of Health and Environmental Control or the director's designee, the director of the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services or the director's designee, the director of the Department of Social Services or the director's designee, the Chief of the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division or his designee.

The committee shall submit its report and recommendations to the General Assembly as soon as possible but no later than the beginning of the 1998 legislative session at which time the committee is dissolved. The committee must be staffed by personnel designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives from the House staff and personnel designated by the President Pro Tempore from the Senate staff.