People with mental illness or a degenerative mental disease have special protections under the law when entering into contracts or other binding documents.
It is unconstitutional--and unethical--for physicians to participate in evidence-gathering against pregnant women suspected of being addicted to illegal substances without informing them of their constitutional rights or gaining their informed consent.
Regulations prohibit discrimination against women and caregivers who are being considered for hiring and promotion. Hospital residency programs also must adapt to comply with those regulations.
When a pregnant woman is knowingly causing harm to her unborn child, there are various legal interventions that can be taken to protect the rights if the fetus.