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Bill116th CongressFiled Jul 22, 2020Crime and Law Enforcement
H.R. 7718

Protecting the Health and Wellness of Babies and Pregnant Women in Custody Act

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house (Oct 1, 2020)

Protecting the Health and Wellness of Babies and Pregnant Women in Custody Act

This bill contains provisions related to the medical needs of incarcerated women.

The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) shall provide women in its custody access to certain reproductive health services. The bill also requires the BOP to (1) comply with requirements related to the health of a pregnant incarcerated woman, such as providing appropriate meals and medical services; and (2) provide appropriate health care to a woman with a high-risk pregnancy.

The bill also modifies restrictions on using restraints on an incarcerated woman during pregnancy, labor, or after delivery. The bill prohibits such restraints unless the relevant corrections official and a health care professional determine that the restraints are appropriate for the woman's medical safety. The health care professional must review this determination every six hours. The current statute allows using such restraints if the corrections official determines that restraints are needed due to a flight risk or threat of harm, and does not require periodic review.

The bill also prohibits the BOP from placing a pregnant woman into restrictive housing, such as solitary confinement, unless the relevant corrections official determines that such an action is necessary to address a serious and immediate risk of physical harm. This determination shall be reviewed every four hours.

The Department of Justice may make grants to eligible entities, such as a state department of corrections, to provide obstetrical care, gynecological care, and related services to women in custody.

The Bureau of Justice Statistics shall collect certain data related to the health needs of pregnant incarcerated women.

What just happenedOct 19, 2020

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37](D-CA)Sponsor
35 cosponsors29 D6 R
Read on Congress.gov
35cosponsors2committees15actions34subjects
  1. Oct 19, 2020IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

    Judiciary Committee
  2. Oct 1, 2020FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. Oct 1, 2020FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5143-5147)

  4. Oct 1, 2020Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

  5. Oct 1, 2020FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House continued with debate on H.R. 7718.

  6. Oct 1, 2020FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7718.

  7. Oct 1, 2020FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5143-5149)

  8. Oct 1, 2020FloorH30300

    Ms. Bass moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  9. Sep 24, 2020CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 436.

  10. Sep 24, 2020CommitteeH12200

    Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 116-536.

    Judiciary Committee
  11. Sep 24, 2020Committee5000

    Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 116-536.

    Judiciary Committee
  12. Sep 15, 2020Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Judiciary Committee
  13. Jul 22, 2020IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

    Judiciary Committee
  14. Jul 22, 2020IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  15. Jul 22, 2020IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed HouseOct 1, 202053

Protecting the Health and Wellness of Babies and Pregnant Women in Custody Act

This bill contains provisions related to the medical needs of incarcerated women.

The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) shall provide women in its custody access to certain reproductive health services. The bill also requires the BOP to (1) comply with requirements related to the health of a pregnant incarcerated woman, such as providing appropriate meals and medical services; and (2) provide appropriate health care to a woman with a high-risk pregnancy.

The bill also modifies restrictions on using restraints on an incarcerated woman during pregnancy, labor, or after delivery. The bill prohibits such restraints unless the relevant corrections official and a health care professional determine that the restraints are appropriate for the woman's medical safety. The health care professional must review this determination every six hours. The current statute allows using such restraints if the corrections official determines that restraints are needed due to a flight risk or threat of harm, and does not require periodic review.

The bill also prohibits the BOP from placing a pregnant woman into restrictive housing, such as solitary confinement, unless the relevant corrections official determines that such an action is necessary to address a serious and immediate risk of physical harm. This determination shall be reviewed every four hours.

The Department of Justice may make grants to eligible entities, such as a state department of corrections, to provide obstetrical care, gynecological care, and related services to women in custody.

The Bureau of Justice Statistics shall collect certain data related to the health needs of pregnant incarcerated women.

Introduced in HouseJul 22, 2020

Protecting the Health and Wellness of Babies and Pregnant Women in Custody Act

This bill contains provisions related to the medical needs of incarcerated women.

The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) shall provide women in its custody access to certain reproductive health services. The bill also requires the BOP to (1) comply with requirements related to the health of a pregnant incarcerated woman, such as providing appropriate meals and medical services; and (2) provide appropriate health care to a woman with a high-risk pregnancy.

The bill also modifies restrictions on using restraints on an incarcerated woman during pregnancy, labor, or after delivery. The bill prohibits such restraints unless the relevant corrections official and a health care professional determine that the restraints are appropriate for the woman's medical safety. The health care professional must review this determination every six hours. The current statute allows using such restraints if the corrections official determines that restraints are needed due to a flight risk or threat of harm, and does not require periodic review.

The bill also prohibits the BOP from placing a pregnant woman into restrictive housing, such as solitary confinement, unless the relevant corrections official determines that such an action is necessary to address a serious and immediate risk of physical harm. This determination shall be reviewed every four hours.

The Department of Justice may make grants to eligible entities, such as a state department of corrections, to provide obstetrical care, gynecological care, and related services to women in custody.

The Bureau of Justice Statistics shall collect certain data related to the health needs of pregnant incarcerated women.

Protecting the Health and Wellness of Babies and Pregnant Women in Custody Act — Informed