News

Wyoming Lawmakers Say Meth Use During Pregnancy is Abuse, But Not a Felony

February 12, 2007

Lawmakers in Wyoming have voted to include methamphetamine use during pregnancy in the state's definition of child abuse but have decided not to carve the offense out as a separate felony, the Associated Press reported Feb. 9.

The state House of Representatives voted 39-21 to approve the amendment to the state Child Protective Services Act. Under the revision, women who expose their unborn children to methamphetamine could be referred to drug court and then treatment; those who fail to abide by the court's order would face up to 90 days in jail.

An earlier version of the bill would have made prenatal exposure of a child to meth a felony punishable by prison sentences.

Meth-using mothers could still lose custody of their children under the bill approved in the House.