Child abuse; provide when child tests positive for certain controlled substances at birth.

HB 1231 would amend Mississippi law to classify a mother as committing felonious child abuse if a newborn tests positive for non-prescribed controlled substances at birth. The bill directly affects pregnant individuals who use controlled substances without a physician's prescription, making this a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine for a first offense. Key mechanisms include updating the definition of felonious child abuse to include unexplained drug-positive birth tests (Section 97-5-39(2)(d)) and strengthening mandatory reporting requirements for such cases (Section 43-21-353). The law would not apply if the substance was medically prescribed.