§1086.12. Neonatal opiate withdrawal syndrome pilot project

            A. For the purpose of this Section, the following definitions apply:

            (1) "Department" means the Louisiana Department of Health.

            (2) "Infant" includes both a newborn and an infant.

            (3) "Neonatal opiate withdrawal syndrome" means the postnatal opioid withdrawal experienced by an infant who is exposed in utero to prescribed or illicit opioids or agents used to treat maternal opioid addiction.

            B.(1) The department shall establish an evidence-based pilot project conducted by a multi-disciplinary team to treat infants with neonatal opiate withdrawal syndrome by providing care options that are safe alternatives to the intensive care unit in existing community or hospital settings for eligible mother-infant dyads. This pilot shall prioritize co-location of the mother-infant dyad, maternal access to evidence-based treatment of substance use disorder, and promotion of practices that minimize harm and improve outcomes in infants, in keeping with up-to-date clinical evidence.

            (2) In order to scale evidence-based best practices statewide, the department, in coordination with Department of Children and Family Services, shall convene stakeholders and providers from around the state, including but not limited to the Louisiana Commission on Perinatal Care and Prevention of Infant Mortality and the Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative, in order to promote evidence-based care of infants with neonatal opiate withdrawal syndrome.

            C. The department shall study comparative outcomes, risks, benefits, and cost differentials for the treatment of infants with neonatal opiate withdrawal syndrome in hospital and community settings included in this pilot program. 

            D. The department may provide access to United States Food and Drug Administration approved medication-assisted treatment including agonist, partial-agonist, and antagonist medications for the treatment of opioid use disorders, in conjunction with detoxification services for females with a history of giving birth to neonatal abstinence syndrome affected infants.

            E. The department shall take all steps necessary to implement this Section, including but not limited to the promulgation of rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, and may seek a waiver from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services if needed.

            F. The pilot project may be administered consistent with the Controlled Substance Act, as amended by Section 303 of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016.

            G. This pilot project is subject to specific appropriation by the legislature.

            Acts 2018, No. 174, §1.