Bill > H1715

This bill aims to improve health education and access to contraception for women incarcerated in correctional institutions in Massachusetts. The key provisions are: 1) Requiring correctional institutions to provide written information to incarcerated women on women's health, contraception, and sexually transmitted infections, in their native languages. 2) Mandating that the medical director of each correctional institution offer contraception counseling, a gynecological exam, and access to various contraceptive methods to women of childbearing age, up to 3 months prior to their release. The women would be provided with a 12-month prescription and referrals for follow-up care upon release. 3) Requiring each correctional institution to offer a health education course covering topics like general health, nutrition, mental health, domestic violence, substance abuse, sexually transmitted infections, and sex education, developed in consultation with the state Department of Public Health. The overall goal is to improve healthcare access and health literacy for incarcerated women, particularly around reproductive and sexual health, to better prepare them for their transition back into the community.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H1715