Lawmakers said the measure would push women who use drugs like methamphetamine into the court system and treatment without fear of losing their children.

The provision to give judges more discretion on terminating parental rights was cut despite the objections of lead sponsor Rep. Ted Harvey (R-Highlands Ranch). "I would really hate us to get to a point that rather than try to heal the family we look at removal," said Denver Court Juvenile Court Judge Karen Ashby.

Jefferson County District Judge Brian Boatright said treating drug use as neglect would give the courts the power to quickly order mothers into treatment or take parenting classes. About three-quarters of the county's abuse cases involve substance abuse, primarily meth use.

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