Bill > H2350

This bill further amends the existing anti-shackling statute for incarcerated pregnant women in Massachusetts. The key provisions include: 1) defining "postpartum recovery" as the period immediately following childbirth up to at least 6 weeks or longer as determined by a physician; 2) replacing "post-delivery recuperation" with "postpartum recovery" throughout the statute; 3) allowing emergency medical personnel, in addition to physicians, to authorize the use of restraints on pregnant or postpartum inmates; 4) prohibiting the use of restraints on pregnant or postpartum inmates "under any circumstances or in any setting"; 5) requiring the commissioner of correction and county facility administrators to provide annual training to staff on the provisions of this section; and 6) mandating reporting on any use of restraints on pregnant or postpartum inmates to the secretary of public safety and security, who must then submit an annual public report to the legislature.

Health and Social Services, Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H2350