FASD Legislation 2022-2023     

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is the number one cause of intellectual disabilities and birth defects in the U.S. FASD affects as many as 1 in 20 school age children,* underscoring the urgent need for diagnostic, clinical intervention, transitional and other support services for both children and adults. Expanded public awareness of the risks associated with prenatal alcohol exposure is also urgently needed as an increasing number of pregnant women report alcohol consumption - 1 in 7 in the U.S, 1 in 6 in New England.

The FASD Respect Act is bi-partisan legislation supporting children and adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). This bill is sponsored by Senator Murkowski (R-AK), and as of December 2022, cosponsored by these U. S. Senators and Representatives.  The entire Maine delegation - Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden - have all agreed to cosponsor the FASD Respect Act.

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The FASD ReSPect Act will provide federal funding on the federal, state, and tribal levels to build systems of care, and utilize existing systems of care  in prevention, screening, diagnosis, intervention and treatment of FASD.

If passed, the FASD Respect Act would give hope and support to the many families impacted by this disability, not only in Maine, but across the country.

*May, Philip A., et al. Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in 4 US Communities. JAMA. 2018 Feb 6;319(5):474-482

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For more details and updates on the progress of  the FASD Respect Act, and information on how to ask your legislators and community stakeholders to support the bill, please click the bill numbers above, and/or the NOFAS Policy link below.

NOFAS Policy FASD Respect Act

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Maine's Full Legislative Delegation (King, Collins, Pingree, Golden)

Cosponsors FASD Respect Act:

October 8, 2021 Senator Angus King Press Release

"King Cosponsors Bipartisan Bill to Address Pressing Infant Health Issue

FASD Maine welcomes his support of FASD Respect Act seeks to reduce Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders"

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator Angus King cosponsored a bipartisan bill to address prenatal substance exposure and improve infant health. The Advancing FASD Research, Services, and Prevention Act of 2021 (FASD Respect Act), would assist early prenatal intervention by providing support to prevention efforts and for individuals and families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) is also a co-sponsor of this legislation. According to the National Vital Statistics, around 18% of infants are potentially affected by prenatal exposure to alcohol, binge drinking, or illicit drugs each year.

“Nearly 20% of infants born in America are affected by prenatal exposure to drugs or alcohol – it’s an urgent, often unrecognized, public health crisis,” said Senator King. “This legislation would significantly increase support for mothers and families at risk for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, and invest in vital, lifesaving preventive efforts.

This legislation will develop a more collaborative approach across state, tribal and federal governments to support the medical, substance use, child welfare, and educational issues that the mother, infant and family face after being diagnosed with FASD or a related condition. The bill would create a National Advisory Council on FASD to combat FASD as well as reestablish the Center of Excellence on FASD and related conditions.

For full press release go here

For more information and summary of the bill go here