Section 101-I - Declaration of policy.The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) This Commonwealth is one of the states which has been hardest hit by an epidemic of heroin and prescription opioid abuse and addiction that is plaguing American society.(2) One of the more tragic consequences of this epidemic is the devastating impact it has had and continues to have on infants and children.(3) Newborns are suffering through withdrawal from opioids because of prenatal exposure to these drugs.(4) Fatalities and near fatalities of infants and young children have been linked to parental substance abuse.(5) Cases of child abuse and neglect linked to parental substance abuse are increasing, as are the number of children being removed from their homes and placed in protective custody because of their parents' drug addiction.(6) The Commonwealth has a responsibility to protect its residents, especially children.Added by P.L. TBD 2022 No. 2, § 2, eff. 1/26/2022.