2006 Minnesota Statutes

626.5561 REPORTING OF PRENATAL EXPOSURE TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.
    Subdivision 1. Reports required. A person mandated to report under section 626.556,
subdivision 3 , shall immediately report to the local welfare agency if the person knows or has
reason to believe that a woman is pregnant and has used a controlled substance for a nonmedical
purpose during the pregnancy. Any person may make a voluntary report if the person knows
or has reason to believe that a woman is pregnant and has used a controlled substance for a
nonmedical purpose during the pregnancy. An oral report shall be made immediately by telephone
or otherwise. An oral report made by a person required to report shall be followed within 72
hours, exclusive of weekends and holidays, by a report in writing to the local welfare agency.
Any report shall be of sufficient content to identify the pregnant woman, the nature and extent of
the use, if known, and the name and address of the reporter.
    Subd. 2. Local welfare agency. If the report alleges a pregnant woman's use of a controlled
substance for a nonmedical purpose, the local welfare agency shall immediately conduct an
appropriate assessment and offer services indicated under the circumstances. Services offered
may include, but are not limited to, a referral for chemical dependency assessment, a referral
for chemical dependency treatment if recommended, and a referral for prenatal care. The local
welfare agency may also take any appropriate action under chapter 253B, including seeking an
emergency admission under section 253B.05. The local welfare agency shall seek an emergency
admission under section 253B.05 if the pregnant woman refuses recommended voluntary services
or fails recommended treatment.
    Subd. 3. Related provisions. Reports under this section are governed by section 626.556,
subdivisions 4, 4a, 5, 6, 8, and 11 .
    Subd. 4. Controlled substances. For purposes of this section and section 626.5562,
"controlled substance" means a controlled substance listed in section 253B.02, subdivision 2.
    Subd. 5. Immunity. (a) A person making a voluntary or mandated report under subdivision 1
or assisting in an assessment under subdivision 2 is immune from any civil or criminal liability
that otherwise might result from the person's actions, if the person is acting in good faith.
(b) This subdivision does not provide immunity to any person for failure to make a required
report or for committing neglect, physical abuse, or sexual abuse of a child.
History: 1989 c 290 art 5 s 5; 1990 c 542 s 27-30