PHOENIX — Pregnant women who are addicted to methamphetamine could be taken into custody and involuntarily held in treatment programs if a new state initiative is approved.

The Senate Judiciary Committee took the first steps toward approving SB 1500 Monday, mandating that state Child Protective Services workers go to court if they know or have reasonable grounds to believe a mother-to-be is using meth and is not getting voluntary treatment.

That order would require the mother to cooperate.

Critics of the proposal are concerned that Gorman is tryin...

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PHOENIX — Pregnant women who are addicted to methamphetamine could be taken into custody and involuntarily held in treatment programs if a new state initiative is approved.

The Senate Judiciary Committee took the first steps toward approving SB 1500 Monday, mandating that state Child Protective Services workers go to court if they know or have reasonable grounds to believe a mother-to-be is using meth and is not getting voluntary treatment.

That order would require the mother to cooperate.

Critics of the proposal are concerned that Gorman is trying to give the measure some teeth by extending the definition of what now constitutes "child abuse" to fetuses.

Sen. Ken Cheuvront, D-Phoenix, pointed out the existing definition of child abuse includes acts that endanger the life of a child. He said Gorman's bill could be interpreted as prohibiting abortion.