By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – Alabama's so-called Baby Douglas bill is now a law. The legislation was signed in May by Governor Riley, and it went into effect November 1. The bill received unanimous approval in the House and Senate. It was inspired by the death of Douglas Hernandez. The child died in 2002 after apparently being given cold medication at a Mobile County day care center. The new law makes it a crime for day care workers to give medication to a child with intent to drug the child or alter its behavior beyond what is medically prescribed. It would also be a crime to give medication with reckless disregard for the health, safety and welfare of the child.