Bill > H2481

This bill aims to strengthen the existing anti-shackling law for pregnant incarcerated women in Massachusetts. The key provisions include: 1. Defining "postpartum recovery" as the time period immediately following childbirth up to a minimum of 6 weeks, or longer as determined by a physician. 2. Replacing the term "post-delivery recuperation" with "postpartum recovery" throughout the existing law. 3. Allowing emergency medical personnel, in addition to physicians, to determine the need for restraint removal during postpartum recovery. 4. Explicitly prohibiting the use of restraints on pregnant or postpartum inmates "under any circumstances or in any setting." 5. Requiring the Commissioner of Correction and administrators of county correctional facilities to provide annual training to staff members who transport or supervise female prisoners on the provisions of this law. 6. Mandating the submission of reports within 48 hours to the Secretary of Public Safety and Security whenever restraints are used on a pregnant or postpartum inmate, and the filing of an annual public report detailing compliance with this law.

Health and Social Services, Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H2481