DEBATE PERSISTS OVER METH-MOM BILL

CHEYENNE -- The measure's main sponsor was delighted Thursday at the
House's approval of a bill to allow criminal prosecution of mothers
who exposed their newborn children to methamphetamine in the womb.

Rep. Elaine Harvey, R-Lovell, said after the House vote that she was
pleased to see the bill move forward after years of working on the issue.

"A whole group of children in Wyoming are going to be better off,"
Harvey said. "I think a lot of times the legislation we pass is not
perfect, but I think this is going to give it a good shot at solving
the problem."

Harvey said officials at the Wyoming Department of Family Services
have told her that substance abuse issues forced the state to put 72
children into placements outside of their homes from 2003 through 2005.

Rep. Liz Gentile, D-Evansville, said during debate in the House that
she has served on the Natrona County Child Protection Team. While she
said the world would be a better place without any illegal drugs, she
said she still opposed the bill.

"I think going down this road is going to deter women from seeking
help," Gentile said.

Rep. Sue Wallis, R-Recluse, opposed the bill even after the House
adopted an amendment that expands the definition of abuse under the
Child Protective Services Act to include prenatal exposure to
methamphetamine. The change means that a mother who exposed her
newborn to the drug during pregnancy could be referred to drug court.
The drug court, in turn, could order to woman to get treatment.

A felony conviction under the earlier version of the bill could have
resulted in prison sentences. The revised bill could still result in
mothers losing custody of their children to the state, however.

"Ultimately that crime is still going to cause women to avoid the
care that they need, and babies the care that they deserve," Wallis said.

"Let's not instill the fear that if I go to the hospital to have my
baby that my baby is going to be jerked out of my arms and given to
someone else," Wallis said.

Rep. Tom Lubnau, R-Gillette, said he's represented hospitals in his
work as a lawyer. He said when they get babies who have been exposed
to methamphetamine, he tells them to "do the right thing -- call
Family Services."

Lubnau said the bill would provide legal protection to doctors and
health care workers who take it upon themselves to call the state
when they see a child they expect has been exposed to methamphetamine.

Rep. Marty Martin, D-Rock Springs, said he supported the amendment to
take the violation out of the realm of the state's criminal code. He
said it's unfortunate that the House had to debate the issue.

"Methamphetamine is a huge issue all across the state," Martin said.
"I agree with the sponsor of the bill; it's something that we need,
and we need it now."

Brenda Ilg, lobbyist with NARAL Pro-Choice Wyoming, said her group
intends to oppose the bill as it moves through the Wyoming Senate.
"Coerced treatment just doesn't work," she said after the House vote.