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MD HB837

MD HB837
Task Force to Study Forced Infant Separation From Incarcerated Individuals


summary

Introduced
01/29/2025
In Committee
01/29/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
04/08/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Establishing the Task Force to Study Forced Infant Separation From Incarcerated Individuals to study and make recommendations regarding methods to reduce forced infant separation in the State and facilitate bonds between postpartum incarcerated individuals and their children; and requiring the Task Force to report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly on or before December 1, 2025.

AI Summary

This bill establishes a Task Force to Study Forced Infant Separation From Incarcerated Individuals, which will be composed of 14 members including legislators, state officials, and representatives from various nonprofit organizations focused on women's health, pediatric health, and incarcerated individuals' rights. The Task Force, to be chaired by the Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, will conduct a comprehensive study on topics such as the number of pregnant and postpartum incarcerated individuals in Maryland, the potential for creating dedicated spaces for these individuals in prerelease units, the impact of separating infants from their mothers, and best practices from other state correctional systems. The members will not receive compensation but will be reimbursed for travel expenses, and they are tasked with developing legislative recommendations to reduce forced infant separation and help postpartum incarcerated individuals maintain bonds with their children. The Task Force is required to submit its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by December 31, 2026, and the bill will be in effect from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027, after which it will automatically be abrogated.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (5)

Last Action

House Judiciary Hearing (11:00:00 2/18/2025 ) (on 02/18/2025)

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