Protecting Our Infants Act of 2014

Summary: Protecting Our Infants Act of 2014 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to study maternal opiate abuse and neonatal abstinence syndrome, identify gaps in evidence-informed recommendations for health care professionals and facilities regarding neonatal abstinence syndrome, and identify priority areas for additional research. Requires the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to assist states in collecting data on neonatal abstinence syndrome, including incidence, causes, and demographics. Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to evaluate the effectiveness of federal activities regarding substance abuse treatment for pregnant women and their children.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Protecting Our Infants Act of 
2014''.

SEC. 2. EVIDENCE-INFORMED RECOMMENDATIONS WITH RESPECT TO MATERNAL 
              ADDICTION AND NEONATAL ABSTINENCE SYNDROME.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services 
(referred to in this section as the ``Secretary'') shall coordinate and 
facilitate the--
            (1) identification and compilation of evidence-informed 
        recommendations for physicians, nurses, and hospital facilities 
        with respect to neonatal abstinence syndrome; and
            (2) identification of any gaps, as appropriate, in such 
        evidence-informed recommendations that may require additional 
        research or analysis with respect to--
                    (A) screening and intervention for maternal 
                substance abuse, including the misuse or abuse of 
                prescription drugs in women of childbearing age and 
                pregnant women;
                    (B) treatment for pregnant and postpartum women 
                with a substance use disorder, including the misuse or 
                abuse of prescription drugs;
                    (C) screening of infants for neonatal abstinence 
                syndrome and for the risk of developing neonatal 
                abstinence syndrome;
                    (D) treatment for infants with neonatal abstinence 
                syndrome, including evidence-informed recommendations 
                surrounding evaluation and treatment with 
                pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions; 
                and
                    (E) ongoing treatment, services, and supports for 
                postpartum women with a substance use disorder, 
                including misuse or abuse of prescription drugs, and 
                infants and children with neonatal abstinence syndrome.
    (b) Input.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
consider input from stakeholders, such as health professionals, public 
health officials, and law enforcement.
    (c) Dissemination of Information.--The Secretary shall disseminate 
to appropriate stakeholders in States and local communities the 
evidence-informed recommendations identified under subsection (a).
    (d) Addressing Research Needs for Maternal Addiction and Neonatal 
Abstinence Syndrome.--The Secretary shall conduct a study to evaluate--
            (1) factors related to the increased prevalence of maternal 
        opiate misuse and abuse;
            (2) factors related to maternal misuse and abuse of 
        opiates, including--
                    (A) barriers to identifying and treating maternal 
                misuse and abuse of opiates; and
                    (B) the most effective prevention and treatment 
                strategies for pregnant women and other women of 
                childbearing age who are at risk for or dependent on 
                opiates; and
            (3) factors related to neonatal abstinence syndrome, 
        including--
                    (A) epidemiological studies concerning neonatal 
                abstinence syndrome;
                    (B) the most effective methods to diagnose and 
                treat neonatal abstinence syndrome; and
                    (C) the long-term effects of neonatal abstinence 
                syndrome and the need for a longer-term study on 
                infants and children at risk for developing neonatal 
                abstinence syndrome or diagnosed with neonatal 
                abstinence syndrome.
    (e) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on 
Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives the findings from 
the study under subsection (d) and a report that identifies the gaps in 
evidence-informed recommendations that require additional research or 
analysis, and priority areas for additional research.

SEC. 3. IMPROVING DATA ON NEONATAL ABSTINENCE SYNDROME.

    The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the 
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall 
provide technical assistance to States to improve the availability and 
quality of data collection and surveillance activities regarding 
neonatal abstinence syndrome, including--
            (1) incidence and prevalence of neonatal abstinence 
        syndrome;
            (2) the identification of causes for neonatal abstinence 
        syndrome, including new and emerging trends; and
            (3) the identification of demographics and other relevant 
        information associated with neonatal abstinence syndrome.

SEC. 4. PAIN MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES.

    It is the sense of Congress that the Director of the National 
Institutes of Health should continue research with respect to pain 
management, including for women of childbearing age.

SEC. 5. GAO STUDY.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study 
evaluating--
            (1) the availability and effectiveness of federally 
        facilitated substance abuse treatment programs for pregnant 
        women and their children;
            (2) the availability and effectiveness of Federal programs 
        that encourage State adoption and implementation of programs to 
        ensure--
                    (A) the safety and health of mothers who have a 
                substance use disorder; and
                    (B) the safety and health of children with neonatal 
                abstinence syndrome;
            (3) the effectiveness of Federal data systems and 
        surveillance programs used to monitor or track drug utilization 
        and resulting trends, including whether information on neonatal 
        abstinence syndrome is incorporated into such data systems; and
            (4) the identification of the use of all discretionary 
        funds to address maternal substance abuse, including the misuse 
        and abuse of prescription drugs.