The bill extends the automatic repeal date for the fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) commission until June 30, 2020. The FASD commission was originally created in the executive branch as a temporary commission. The bill dissolves the temporary commission and recreates the commission as a type 2 agency in the department of human services (department) and allocates it to the unit that administers behavioral health programs and services. The executive director of the department may appoint members to the FASD commission who have previously served on the FASD commission.
The FASD commission is directed to expand the distribution and promotion of health warning signs and other materials about the harms caused to fetuses from pregnant women drinking alcohol.
As recommended by the FASD commission in its 2013 and 2014 annual reports, the bill amends the "Colorado Children's Code" to add to the presentence investigation of a juvenile in the juvenile justice system some preliminary screening about whether the mother of the juvenile drank during the pregnancy and whether the juvenile should be evaluated for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
As recommended by the FASD commission in its 2014 annual report, the bill amends the "Colorado Children's Code" to add to the screening and assessments of a child in the dependency and neglect system consideration of whether the child was prenatally exposed to alcohol.