WHEREAS, neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) describes withdrawal symptoms experienced by newborns following in-utero exposure to certain substances, including opioids, which if not recognized and appropriately managed, may result in feeding difficulties, prolonged hospitalization, other short-term clinical complications, and long hospital stays;WHEREAS, research demonstrates that when NAS is properly screened for and treated using evidence-based interventions, the condition is temporary and has no known long-term adverse developmental outcomes;WHEREAS, statewide biomedical data indicate prenatal substance exposure (including opioids) affected nearly 1 in 10 Utah births in recent years based on umbilical cord screening, with opioids being the most commonly detected class of substances;WHEREAS, NAS may result from in-utero exposure to both illicit substances and medically indicated, prescribed treatments for opioid use disorder, including medications that are evidence-based, life-saving, and associated with improved maternal and infant health outcomes;WHEREAS, historical Utah data show a dramatic increase in NAS diagnoses over time, with the number of newborns diagnosed with NAS increasing over 240% from 2002 to 2011, reflecting broader trends in substance use during pregnancy;WHEREAS, aggregated NAS and prenatal substance exposure data, without appropriate clinical context, may contribute to stigma, stress, and guilt among mothers who are actively participating in care;WHEREAS, statewide identification and reporting of NAS and prenatal substance exposure are essential to understanding true incidence, targeting prevention and treatment resources, and improving maternal and infant health outcomes;WHEREAS, Utah is home to nationally recognized, evidence-based programs addressing substance use disorder during pregnancy, including the Substance Use and Pregnancy Recovery, Addiction, and Dependence (SUPeRAD) Clinic operated by University of Utah Health;WHEREAS, the SUPeRAD Clinic is the first program in Utah and the Mountain West region to specialize in comprehensive, trauma-informed care for pregnant and postpartum mothers with substance use disorders, integrating prenatal care, addiction treatment, behavioral health services, and postpartum support for up to one year after delivery;WHEREAS, Utah currently relies on a variety of administrative data sources, including hospital discharge databases and clinical screening programs, that could be better linked and standardized to yield actionable insights for policymakers and providers; andWHEREAS, the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, through its Office of Vital Records and Health Statistics and Office of Substance Use and Mental Health, has statutory responsibility for statewide public health data collection, analysis, and reporting:NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the State of Utah urges the Utah Department of Health and Human Services to continue to enhance statewide data systems and reporting to measure:1. the number of NAS diagnoses and prenatal substance exposure among all Utah births, stratified by substance type, prescribed versus non-prescribed exposure, and maternal engagement in treatment;2. associated maternal health and infant clinical outcomes, including length of hospital stay, NICU utilization, feeding complications, and developmental follow-up; and3. existing prevention, treatment, and recovery support programs serving pregnant women with substance use disorders including linkage to prenatal care behavioral health services and utilization of evidence-based NAS management strategies.BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Utah Department of Health and Human Services shall deliver to the Health and Human Services Interim Committee, by no later than October 31, 2027, a written report containing:1. updated NAS and prenatal substance exposure incidence rates for the most recent five-year period, with appropriate stratifications and trend analysis;2. a summary of statewide efforts to standardize reporting and data linkage across agencies and hospitals; and3. recommendations for legislative action or program improvements to reduce adverse perinatal outcomes related to substance exposure.BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Legislature is committed to data integrity, evidence-based maternal and infant health policy, improved treatment linkages, and enhanced public health monitoring.BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent to the Executive Director of the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, the Director of the Utah Office of Vital Records and Health Statistics, and the Director of the Office of Substance Use and Mental Health.