Virginia

Suspected child abuse; substance exposed infants; reporting by physicians. Increases the period of time from seven days to six weeks during which a health care provider, not exclusively the attending physician as in current law, may make a finding that an infant is a substance exposed infant in cases in which the determination is based on a drug test of the infant or on a diagnosis that the child has an illness, disease, or condition that may be attributed to in utero exposure to controlled substances. A diagnosis that the infant has fetal alcohol spectrum disorder may be made at any time following a child's birth.

Require off-premises retail licensees to post in a location that is conspicuous to the public at the place where the licensee carries on the business for which the license has been granted a sign that bears a warning regarding the risks of consuming alcoholic beverages during pregnancy.

Virginia includes diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome within seven days of birth as evidence of child abuse or neglect. SB228, SB387, and SB637 seek to add EMS personnel, guardians ad litem, and animal control officers respectively, to the list of individuals required to report suspected child abuse or neglect.

Virginia includes diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome within seven days of birth as evidence of child abuse or neglect. SB314 seeks to add ministers, priest, rabbis, and duly accredited practitioners, to the list of individuals required to report suspected child abuse or neglect.