ARTICLE TAG

drug testing

As New York legalizes marijuana, parent advocates push child welfare agencies to be less punitive

7/17/2026

Moms of Black Babies More Likely to Be Flagged to Police Over Alleged Pregnancy Drug Use

Jill Castellano, The Marshall Project and Shoshana Walter, The Marshall Project

Child welfare referred Black parents to law enforcement 14,000 times in 7 years, despite no findings of abuse or neglect.

New York Appeals Court Case Focuses on Non-abusive Parent Being Subjected to Home Supervisions

6/11/2026

On-the-Spot Drug Testing in NYC Family Courts is Unconstitutional, Lawsuit Argues

Susanti Sarkar

Lawyers for parents are suing over a proposed policy allowing judges to order on-site drug tests in NYC family courts. 

New York Lawmakers Once Again Fail to Curb Routine Drug Testing of Moms and Newborns

6/9/2026

New York Lawmakers Once Again Fail to Curb Routine Drug Testing of Moms and Newborns

Susanti Sarkar

Birthing mothers and their newborns will continue to be routinely tested for drugs without consent in New York, after a bill to curb the practice failed to pass.

Georgia DFCS Relied on Controversial Laboratory for Drug Tests Crucial to Custody Decisions

3/3/2025

Georgia DFCS Relied on Controversial Laboratory for Drug Tests Crucial to Custody Decisions

Jake Shore, The Current GA

A Georgia child welfare agency director says she’s open to an audit of past drug tests, but it's likely too late for one mom.

Youth Services Insider
New Jersey

10/4/2024

State Challenges Universal Drug Testing on New Moms (UPDATED)

John Kelly

New Jersey is challenging a universal drug testing policy used by a private operator of hospitals on pregnant patients.

6/5/2024

NY Attorney General Investigates Drug-Testing Pregnant and New Moms, as Legal Challenges Over the Practice Grow

Adilia Watson

The controversial drug-testing of mothers and newborns in hospitals is under new scrutiny in New York — in lawsuits and a state investigation.

As New York legalizes marijuana, parent advocates push child welfare agencies to be less punitive

9/7/2023

New York City Settles Lawsuit With Mother Who Says Her Newborn Was Illegally Taken Over Marijuana Use 

Susanti Sarkar

A settlement was announced today in the case of a mother who claimed her newborn was taken from her solely because of cannabis use.

As New York legalizes marijuana, parent advocates push child welfare agencies to be less punitive

5/19/2023

New York Child Welfare Workers Illegally Separated Newborn From His Mother Over Cannabis Allegations, Lawsuit Alleges

Annie Sciacca

A federal lawsuit alleges a mother was separated from her newborn solely on the basis of a non-consensual marijuana drug test.

New York Campaign Aims to Stop ‘Womb-to-Foster Care Pipeline’

4/13/2022

New York Campaign Aims to Stop ‘Womb-to-Foster Care Pipeline’

Madison Hunt

In New York, a new campaign calls for passage of a bill that would require consent before drug testing a new or pregnant mother.

11/15/2021

Racial Justice Advocates Issue Plan to Reimagine LA County’s Child Welfare System

Jeremy Loudenback

Khari Jones and his daughter Fari Love Jones remain connected despite a terrifying entanglement with local authorities shortly after the baby’s birth in June. Photo courtesy of Khari Jones and Kayla Love
A coalition of Los Angeles County racial justice advocates, lawyers for parents in the child welfare system, reproductive rights groups and community-based organizations is calling on elected officials to implement wide-ranging reforms to the local foster care system. 

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