Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday signed a bill (HB 227) creating the Statewide Task Force on Prescription Drug Abuse and Newborns.
The task force will be charged with examining the scope of neo-natal withdrawal syndrome, the costs associated with caring for babies, the long term effects of, and strategies for preventing prescription drug abuse by expectant mothers.
The legislation, by Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart and Rep. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, was pushed by Attorney General Pam Bondi.