Subdivision 1. Reports required. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), 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, including, but not limited to, tetrahydrocannabinol, or has consumed alcoholic beverages during the pregnancy in any way that is habitual or excessive.

(b) A health care professional or a social service professional who is mandated to report under section 626.556, subdivision 3, is exempt from reporting under paragraph (a) a woman's use or consumption of tetrahydrocannabinol or alcoholic beverages during pregnancy if the professional is providing the woman with prenatal care or other health care services.

(c) 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, including, but not limited to, tetrahydrocannabinol, or has consumed alcoholic beverages during the pregnancy in any way that is habitual or excessive.

(d) 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. The local welfare agency shall accept a report made under paragraph (c) notwithstanding refusal by a voluntary reporter to provide the reporter's name or address as long as the report is otherwise sufficient.

(e) For purposes of this section, "prenatal care" means the comprehensive package of medical and psychological support provided throughout the pregnancy.

Subd. 2. Local welfare agency. Upon receipt of a report required under subdivision 1, 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; 2007 c 69 s 3,4; 2010 c 348 s 1; 2014 c 291 art 11 s 38