Bills / H.B. 122

H.B. 122 Pregnant and Postpartum Inmate Amendments

Became lawWritten by Rep. Candice B. Pierucci · carried in the Senate by Sen. Heidi Balderree

  1. Introduced
  2. House committee
  3. House vote
  4. Senate committee
  5. Senate vote
  6. Signed into law

What this bill does

The bill would extend the limits on restraining inmates to cover up to 12 weeks after childbirth, with exceptions for security or safety risks. It would also extend social worker access for postpartum women in county jails from six to 12 weeks and require the Department of Corrections and county jails to report the number of pregnant inmates and inmates who are parents.

Plain-English summary written by AI from the sponsor’s presentation in committee and on the floor. Check the official text below.

Official description
  • requires the Department of Corrections (the department) and each county jail to report to the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice:
  • the number of known pregnant inmates in custody
  • the number of inmates in custody who are parents to a minor child
  • clarifies that the postpartum recovery period for pregnant inmates is 12 weeks after the day on which the inmate gives birth
  • prohibits the restraining of an inmate during postpartum recovery unless an individualized determination of certain security risks is made that details why the restraints are necessary
  • increases the period of time that the department and each county jail is required to provide access to a social worker to an inmate who is pregnant, or who has recently given birth, from six weeks to 12 weeks, to help the inmate:
  • arrange childcare
  • establish a reunification plan
  • establish a substance abuse treatment plan, if needed
  • clarifies that the department and each county jail is required to provide an inmate in postpartum recovery access to postpartum care for 12 weeks after the inmate gives birth
  • clarifies that health care providers in general may make certain decisions regarding pregnant inmates
  • makes technical and conforming changes
Full text and history on le.utah.gov →
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